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By Prince Golez, Manila Reporter
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MANILA – The planned construction of a 25-kilometer underground mass transportation system will help the country grow its economy, according to Sen. Grace Poe.
Poe said that the P227-billion subway system connecting Quezon City to Taguig is also seen to ease Metro Manila traffic.
A Japan International Cooperation Agency study showed that road traffic in Metro Manila is seen to increase by 13 percent from 2012 to 2030.
Total transport cost of road users, and vehicle operating and time costs would also rise from P3 billion to P6 billion per day, it said.
“We have to invest now, build now, but not without exercising caution,” the lawmaker said.
“Having a reliable public transportation system, especially railway, will not only spell public convenience but also contribute to economic growth.”
At the “Dutertenomics” forum held at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City last week, Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade said that President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are set to sign an agreement for the P226-billion subway this year.
The construction of the Mega Manila Subway Project will start in the fourth quarter of 2019 and be completed by 2024, Tugade said.
Poe, who is pushing for the emergency powers to solve traffic woes, has been an advocate of the subway system.
“Although it is relatively costly and the construction time will take a little bit longer as reportedly said by Transport officials, an underground mass transport will help decongest road traffic as there will be less road disturbance to the above-ground environment,” Poe said.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker from Iloilo stressed the need to complement the subway design with the existing road transport design above ground.
The subway design should take into account the accessibility and walkability of each station’s stop with that of other transportation, she added.
“Transport interconnectivity is key to a thriving economy and improving the lives of our people. I hope that thus time the administration, in considerig the location of each station, will prioritize public convenience and accessibility over private interests,” Poe said.
The proposed subway system will have 13 stations, namely Mindanao Avenue, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, East avenue, Anona and Katipunan in Quezon City, Ortigas North and Ortigas South in Pasig City, Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City, Bonifacio Global City, Cayetano Boulevard and Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City./PN
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