The Management Association of the Philippines threw its support behind a proposal to build a multi-line subway system in Metro Manila.
MAP said in a statement most large cities in Asia had subways, with Metro Manila a notable exception. The group recommended that Edsa be used as the priority line for fasttrack planning and implementation of the subway starting from North Avenue to Makati, complementing the Metro Rail Transit Line 3.
The route can be part of an overall urban improvement plan to transform Edsa into a world-class efficient, less-vehicle centric, calmer and pleasant tree-lined pedestrian friendly avenue, the group said.
MAP also pushed for a presidential executive order to encourage planners and prospective proponents to pursue the project and name the Edsa subway “Mabuhay Metro Line 1” to signify a resurgent Philippines, said MAP governor-in-charge for traffic and transportation Eduardo Yap.
Trade undersecretary Noel Kintanar earlier said the government would revive the previously planned east-west oriented subway along Edsa to serve Taguig-Bonifacio Global City, Ayala Center and Mall of Asia in Pasay.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. said it was supporting the granting of emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to resolve the traffic problem.
“The regulation should be geared towards addressing traffic management and not to regulate the the sale of motor vehicles,” Campi president Rommel Gutierrez said at the sidelines of the 28th anniversary of Toyota Motors Philippines in Bonifacio Global City.
A study showed the number of vehicles plying the streets would increase to 500,000 by 2020. Campi said at the rate sales were growing, the number could even reach 1 million, an indication that the second wave of motorization was taking shape in the Philippines.
“Vehicle sales are increasing because it has become a necessity, mainly because of traffic and basically because people can now afford [to buy],” Gutierrez said.
He said industry sales could hit 360,000 units in 2016, up from the previous target sales of 350,000 units.
“This is still very conservative, but we hope that sales will be faster, industry-wide,” he said.
Vehicle sales grew 26.5 percent in the first half to 197,448 units from a year ago.