Source: Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines – The state-run Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) plans to construct an elevated monorail that would interconnect with existing rail transit systems in the metropolis.
Addressing a gathering of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (AmCham Philippines), BCDA chairman Felicito Payumo said the project would be implemented through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concept being espoused by the Aquino administration.
To be called the Makati-Taguig-Pasay Monorail Alignment, the medium-term project is meant to address the growing demand for efficient mass transport systems over the next five years.
Payumo said the projected monorail system would link up with the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) servicing the EDSA route, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) traversing the entire length of Taft Avenue from Baclaran, Paranaque City to Monumento in Caloocan City, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) that cuts across Metro Manila towards the Southern Luzon regions.
The interconnection is envisioned to form a loop around the projected service areas covered by the three rail transit systems.
Payumo indicated that civil engineers of the project opted for an elevated monorail because of the narrow streets of Makati and Taguig.
The BCDA chairman also hinted that completion of the elevated monorail would possibly be followed by the relocation of the country’s international gateway to the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.
In the same business forum, Payumo outlined key BCDA strategic directions for 2011 to 2016. These include continuing development initiatives and funding of conversion projects through the disposition of Metro Manila military camps; performing its key role as a catalyst and transforming agent in Metro Manila, North and Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon which represent 46 percent of total Philippine population; pushing infrastructure programs of President Aquino by promoting major PPP projects, among others.
Payumo stressed that through the completion of PPP-funded projects such as the Tarlac-La Union Expressway Extension and the plan for the NLEX-SLEX connector road, the government effectively demonstrates the role of the private sector in the government’s infrastructure development program.
“We are on the right track,” Payumo said, adding that BCDA has raised some P51 billion for the Armed Forces modernization and countrywide development.
