It has also urged government to improve the Tuguegarao Airport, fast track the completion and upgrading of the Legaspi and Pili airports in the Bicol Peninsula into international facilities.

The government should set into motion far-reaching reforms and programs to modernize Philippine land, sea and air transport systems to bolster rapid economic growth.

"The government must demonstrate its seriousness in pushing critical infrastructure projects to ensure a competitive environment for the logistics industry and lower the cost of doing business in the supply chain of the country," said PCCI President Donald G. Dee.

On land transportation, PCCI sought for the rehabilitation of EDSA and the South Expressway and the reopening of neglected roads between regions from Northern Luzon to Surigao. A list of those roads were given to the chief executive.

PCCI has sought the privatization of government ports starting with the North Harbor, the country’s most important domestic port operated by the Philippine Port Authority.

It further demanded the urgent operation and modernization of the Sual, Currimao and Port Irene ports in Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan, the ports of Zambuanga and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, Tacloban Port in the Visayas and Pantao Port in the Bicol Region.

They also asked Congress to repeal the Cabotage Law.

PCCI also asked for the fast tracking of the commercial development of the Laguindingan Airport and its clustering with the Davao International Airport in Mindanao and the expansion of the Caticlan Airport.

These urgent development projects need to be done soon to not only to help bolster tourism in the regions but to open new international gateways for the shipment of cargo and human traffic and services, Dee added.(Edu Lopez)