The Department of Transportation plans to build a P374-billion rail network system in Metro Manila, including the first subway system that will connect BGC, Makati and SM MOA as a long-term solution to solve the worsening traffic congestion.

Noel Eli Kintanar DOTr undersecretary for rail said government will build the network over the next six years through public-private partnership (PPP).

A rail network will encourage people not to use their cars that will lessen congestion in greater Manila Kintanar said at ANC Forum on Gridlock transportation crisis.

The maximum carrying capacity of EDSA is 6,000 cars per hour per direction (north and south) but carries 7,500 per hour per direction currently .

“We want to build network over the next 10 years.” Kintanar added.

Among the projects in the pipeline are LRT line 5, a subway connecting the business districts and which has a completed feasibility study; the Philippine National Railway (PNR) line from Clark all the way to Los Banos, Laguna ; LRT line 4 extension to the east and; LRT line 6 from Bacoor to Dasmarinas Cavite .

Rail projects for construction are the MRT 7 and the LRT 1 extension to Bacoor.

“We can use PPP approach and build more and amortized the payment over a long period of time to allow us to build more rails quicker. There is a host of requirements, and the department will go through the process. But we need the support of the DOF (Department of Finance) and of Congress,” he said

Government is currently reviewing the contract for the projects to make sure they are financially viable for the private sector and avert failed bidding that may cause further delay .

“We’re looking back , because we’re 45 days in the job. If we want the private sector to be involved, it has to be a bankable and financial viable project for the investors,” Kintanar said.

The first project in the pipeline is the LRT operation and maintenance followed by LRT lines 6, 4 and 5 .

When asked if those projects will be constructed during the present administration , Kintanar said “There are a lot of steps but.. we want to (have the) process going. It is important the project is on the ground and moving to finish soon.”

Aside from the new projects, the DOTr has also prioritized the rehabilitation of the existing lines particularly the Metro Rail Transit 3 and the LRT line 2 .

Meanwhile , the DOTr will now be working together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in managing traffic on national roads in Metro Manila.

MMDA, HPG, and DOTr attached agencies such as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be solidifying traffic enforcement by coming up with just one chain of command.

Metro Manila will be split into at least 10 traffic sectors. Each will have a sectoral head.

18 August 2016
By Myla Iglesias