Senator Grace Poe said the Duterte administration’s ambitious 25-kilometer subway project will not only help ease traffic in the already congested metropolis but also propel economic growth.
“We have to invest now, build now, but not without exercising caution. Having a reliable public transportation system, especially railway, will not only spell public convenience but also contribute to economic growth,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services and the main proponent of the emergency powers measure sought by the administration to ease traffic in major urban areas.
“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,” she added.
Poe, however, stressed that the subway design should complement road transport design above ground, and take into account the accessibility and walkability of each station’s stop with that of other public transportation.
Interconnectivity, according to the lawmaker, is key to a thriving economy.
“I hope that this time the administration, in considering the location of each station, will prioritize public convenience and accessibility over private interests,” she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to sign an agreement for the P227-billion subway this year.
Construction of the first leg of the Mega Manila subway is expected to be finished by 2024.
The subway system will connect Quezon City to Taguig, with projected travel time at half an hour.
It will initially accommodate around 350,000 passengers daily in its opening year, officials said.
The proposed 13 stations are along Mindanao Avenue, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue, Anonas 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.
“In the long run, the benefits will far outweigh the cost. As estimated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, projected losses from traffic reach P3 billion daily. We must address this for the benefit of the public,” Poe said.
Jica warned Metro Manila road traffic demand is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2012 to 2030.
Total transport cost of road users, including vehicle operating cost and time cost, will increase from around P3 billion a day to P6 billion a day.
“This is a legacy project, one that can determine the forward trajectory of economic development in the country. Millions of jobs can also be created following a seamless transport system in Metro Manila. We should ensure that we deal with reputable companies and that we get the best deal for the operations and maintenance of the project,” Poe said.