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The administration will continue to push for the construction of a mass transport system, particularly in urban centers, to address traffic congestion, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said
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Big ticket transportation projects in Metro Manila will eventually improve connectivity and mobility for motorists and commuters, said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista
The administration will continue to push for the construction of a mass transport system, particularly in urban centers, to address traffic congestion, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on April 10.
During the Bagong Pilipinas Townhall meeting in San Juan, Marcos enumerated the ongoing projects aimed at addressing the issue, stressing a mass transport system is the only solution to Metro Manila’s traffic woes.
At the same meeting, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said ongoing big ticket transportation projects in Metro Manila will eventually improve connectivity and mobility for motorists and commuters.
For now, everyone must bear the short-term inconveniences that come with future gains and benefits, he noted.
A Japan International Cooperation Agency study had placed at P3.5 billion, at least, the daily cost of Metro Manila traffic to the Philippine economy, or P1.27 trillion annually.
Bautista said he wanted to emphasize the long-term goal of the administration’s transport infrastructure projects such as railway systems “in providing permanent solutions to the traffic problems in the metropolis.”
With the completion of the new projects, private car owners will have the option of taking comfortable, efficient, and accessible public transport, he added.
Among the transportation department’s mega projects are the MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway System, Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, and EDSA Greenways Project.
Bautista urged inter-agency coordination to assist in speeding up the completion of the projects.
Marcos also reported on the development of various railway projects:
- North-South Commuter Railway project (Tutuban to Malolos), 61% complete
- North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project (Malolos to Clark), 56.5% complete
- North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project-South extension (Manila to Calamba), 38% complete
- Metro Manila Subway Project, 41% complete
- LRT Line 1 Cavite extension, 80% complete
- MRT Line 3 rehabilitation and maintenance, 85% complete
- Unified Grand Central station (Quezon City common station), 83% complete
- MRT Line 7 (Quezon City to Bulacan), 67% complete
