Manila: The Philippines is urging a faster implementation of the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan 2026-2035, emphasizing the need for regional infrastructure projects to boost employment, investments, and opportunities within communities. Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan highlighted the country's focus on 'Prosperity Corridors' as a priority during its ASEAN chairship, aiming to transform connectivity into a driving force for inclusive and sustainable growth across Southeast Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, Balisacan stressed that a corridor should function beyond just a transport route, serving as an economic space where various elements such as infrastructure, industry, energy, logistics, digital systems, skills, and investment work together to foster shared and sustainable growth. He emphasized the importance of stronger domestic and cross-border connections to unlock the region's economic potential.
With the 10-year plan serving as a roadmap for ASEAN connectivity, Balisacan outlined four key priorities for its implementation: treating connectivity as an integrated economic system, prioritizing projects that enhance competitiveness and resilience, developing a pipeline of investment-ready projects, and measuring success by their impact on people's livelihoods. He noted that success should be judged not just by physical infrastructure metrics, but by the investments' ability to lower costs, increase productivity, create quality jobs, reduce vulnerabilities, and integrate more people and places into the region's growth trajectory.
Balisacan also highlighted that achieving the plan's goals will necessitate stronger institutional governance, sustained financing, comprehensive project preparation, and closer cooperation among ASEAN member states, the private sector, development partners, and local communities. He reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to collaborating with regional partners to implement the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan 2026-2035.
