The most effective solution to the traffic problem is to build, and implement a reliable public transportation system.
Signed last week was the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on the construction of a common station located in between SM City North Edsa and Ayala’s Trinoma Mall, that would link LRT Line 1, MRT Line 3, and the future MRT Line 7. The Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Light Rail Manila Corp., SM Prime Holdings Inc., Ayala Corp., San Miguel Corp., Metro Pacific Investments, and their affiliates, agreed to construct the common station, which shall be completed by 2019. It was designed to accommodate around 80,000 transferring passengers during peak hours.
In 2009, the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordinating Council approved DOTC’s common station project proposal originally located in SM City North Edsa Annex. This would have been an ideal location because all roads converge in the North Edsa. During the last administration, the common station was moved to Trinoma Mall. P1.4 billion was approved in 2013 by the Neda Board chaired by President Benigno Aquino III. A temporary restraining order was issued, but we understand this will be lifted in light of the recently signed MoA. The delays and other anomalies surrounding the Common Station project since its inception prompted lawmakers, including myself, to further question it. With the convenience of the commuters in mind, we believe that a common station would ease the daily transportation grind of the working class.
The proposed common station, per the MoA design, which puts the common station in between SM North and Trinoma, would cost the government P2.8 billion. This costs higher than the previously approved designs. We would like to revisit this new design as we hope to avoid the blunder of the Gateway Mall connection, where commuters have to walk approximately 700 meters to transfer from MRT Line 3 to LRT Line 2. This imposes an unjustifiable inconvenience to commuters, and strongly implies no other persuasive reason but corporate greed.
In this so-called Golden Age of Infrastructure, we expect the government to invest only in projects that would serve public interest. As an advocate of long-term traffic solutions and proponent of the Common Station project, I would monitor the progress of this project and ensure that no one else benefits but the public. I firmly believe that a truly developed and progressive country presents an efficient and convenient public transportation.
On another matter, it was revealed that SP03 Ricky Sta. Isabel, SP04 Roy Villegas, a man named Ramon Yalung, and four other men were responsible for the kidnapping and killing of Korean businessman, Jee Ick Joo on Oct. 18, 2016. It has been alleged that this was “tokhang for ransom” incident. Under the principle of command responsibility, ultimately, PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has a measure of accountability for these atrocities committed by his own men. Let me remind General dela Rosa that his person, that institution he heads, is a reflection on the President.
There are two lessons here. First, the success of the campaign in maintaining peace and order depends on the integrity of the police. These incidents question not only the moral quality of the police, but the sustainability, and credibility, of the President’s drive against crime. Second, on a macro-level, we can see how corruption is deeply embedded in our government. These policemen are brazen and fearless, and have resorted to creative means to make money, despite the President’s tough stance on crime and corruption.
We in Congress will perform checks and balances, and measure if the performance of the PNP is with faithful to their mandate. I call on General Bato dela Rosa to conduct the necessary unbiased investigations to punish those guilty of this crime. He should also regularly assess and regularly monitor his ranks to prevent acts that tarnish the reputation of the police force.