Gov’t eyes more big infra works to cut Pinoys’ road ‘terrible stories’
The government is pursuing key railway projects seen to address the “terrible stories” about lack of quality time for many Filipinos due to traffic congestion, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.
Mr. Marcos also vowed to pursue more ambitious projects, especially in the infrastructure sector, for his countrymen.
The President made the remarks during the signing of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Contract Packages (CP) 102 and 103 in Malacañang.
The Chief Executive said the project is seen to reduce the stories of woe from those who come home late due to heavy traffic.
“We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in the morning and the children are asleep,” Mr. Marcos said.
“They have to wake up at four o’clock in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work. And that the subway and all our public transport systems will be able to help and remedy this.”
CP102, with a total contract of about P21 billion, was awarded to the joint venture of Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd. and D.M. Consunji Inc.
It involves the construction of the Quezon Avenue Station (located inside the former Manila Seedling Bank, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue) and the East Avenue Station (along V. Luna Avenue), including the connecting tunnels.
CP103, with a total contract of approximately P28 billion, was awarded to Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd.
It includes the construction of Anonas Station (at Barangay Project 4, Quezon City) and Camp Aguinaldo Station (inside Camp Aguinaldo), including the connecting tunnels. The Anonas subway station will interconnect with the LRT2 Anonas Station.
Mr. Marcos expressed gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing financial support for CP102 and 103.
“The world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system, which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate. We thank you for your continued support and I hope to further advance our cooperation in other areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Aside from the subway project, the President said his administration is pursuing key railway projects, such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-7, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) -1 Cavite Extension, and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phases 1 and 2, to make the country’s rail transit system a more viable option for Filipino commuters.
“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic, and reduce their travel time,” he said.
The President also expressed confidence that the country can move “full speed ahead” toward building better and more infrastructure projects for the Filipino people.
“Let me assure you that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country,” he said.
Once completed, the MMSP is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Quezon City and Pasay City from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes and is also projected to benefit more than half a million passengers a day from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City. It is also seen to create millions of jobs for Filipinos.
Expected to be finished in 2028, the Metro Manila Subway can accommodate more than half a million commuters per day and will lessen the travel time from Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to just 45 minutes.
The Quezon City government has committed to working closely with stakeholders in facilitating the processing of all needed documents for this project such as permits, as well as to provide all manpower resources needed.
“We are positive that when operational, the MMSP will improve the productivity of citizens by minimizing travel time.
It will likewise enhance the mental health of people via a reliable and predictable mass transit system, which will give them more quality time for themselves and their families,” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said in her message.
Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez earlier said the subway project would be resilient to earthquakes and floods because it will have the same technology similar to Japan, which frequently experiences earthquakes.