Marcos to DOTr: Brace for El Niño, ensure efficient transport of goods

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to address bottlenecks in the transportation network, citing their impact on the movement of essential goods as the country gears up for the effects of Super El Niño.

He made the call during the grand opening of the United Parcel Service (UPS) Clark International Air Hub at Clark International Airport in Pampanga, which is expected to expand cargo-handling capacity and strengthen the country’s logistics network.

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“As we prepare for the effects of Super El Niño, our synergistic efforts become even more vital. By promoting the timely movement of food and other basic commodities, we can help prevent supply disruptions, ease pressure on prices, and ensure that necessities remain accessible to Filipino households,” Marcos said in his speech.

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Stressing that the Philippines is an archipelagic country, Marcos also called on the DOTr to address issues affecting the efficient transport of goods.

“We have to deal with congested ports, inadequate road networks, and insufficient cold chain facilities contributing to delays and an increase in  cost, and ultimately this affects the prices paid by our consumers,” the president said.

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“Sec. [Giovanni] Banoy, please take note,” he lightheartedly told the secretary who was sitting with the audience.

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Roads, bridges, connections

Marcos said the DOTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are working to improve roads, bridges, and transport systems to better connect agricultural production areas to ports and businesses.

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Additionally, he highlighted the importance of government partnerships with the private sector to expand capacity and to improve connections to global markets.

“To ensure timely completion of projects, I have directed the BCDA [Bases Conversion and Development Authority] and DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] to report every unfinished Clark investment with an opening date,” he said.

“To complement these investments, the DTI has established the Supply Chain and Logistics Center (SCLC) to provide businesses with access to supplier and logistics service provider information and assistance for their supply chain needs,” he added.

The proposed Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway, meanwhile, aims to link major ports of Subic, Manila, and Batangas through an integrated freight network.

“So, to our partners and investors: I encourage you to continue working with us to strengthen domestic and international logistics connectivity. Your investments in the Philippines help expand our productive capacity, create employment, and connect our enterprises to regional and global markets,” said Marcos.

“Be assured that we are committed to creating a more conducive business environment,” he added.

UPS hub

With an investment of more than USD80 million, the new air hub will strengthen UPS services across more than 1,100 global trade lanes. 

Spanning 30,000 square meters, the facility is 15 times larger than UPS’s previous Clark hub and can process up to 15,000 packages per hour and handle an average daily volume of 46,000 packages. 

The expansion has created nearly 600 jobs for the local community and is expected to further stimulate regional economic activity.

Operations are expected to support 170 weekly flight segments to and from Clark, enabling faster deliveries to key markets in Asia-Pacific, India, Europe, and the United States, with some shipments arriving in as little as one business day.  

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Additionally, customers can expect improved transit times, including up to two days faster service on selected routes serving eastern China, Southeast Asia and India. /gsg