Despite viral internet memes poking fun at his suggestion to use an aerial cable car system to solve the traffic woes in Metro Manila, Senator Robin Padilla on Sunday, Aug. 14, maintained that the plan has sound basis owing to the previous administration’s approval of it.
In a Facebook post, the neophyte lawmaker clarified that he merely raised the suggestion after Senator JV Ejercito delivered a privilege speech on the need to strengthen the railway system in the country.
"Nagustuhan ko po ito kaya't ako’y nagtaas ng kamay at nagbigay ng pananalitang pagsuporta kay Senator Ejercito at kabalikat po nito ay ang pagmungkahi sa kanya ng paggamit ng cable car sa Metro Manila para sa pagtugon sa masamang kalagayan ng trapiko (I fully support Sen. JV's point, and this was when I also raised the suggestion for the aerial cable cars)," he wrote amid viral memes on social media making fun of his suggestion.
But the proposal to use an aerial cable car system was not new as the previous administration already gave the thumbs up for a similar system that would connect Marikina and Pasig cities in Metro Manila.
"Bakit ko po ito iminungkahi? Aprubado na po kasi ito ng dating administrasyon (Why did I raise that suggestion? It's because it had been approved in the past administration)," Padilla said.
READ: Minority solons react to Senator Padilla’s ‘cable car’ suggestion
He added that France already expressed willingness to support the project should it gain final approval.
Meanwhile, Padilla's friend, lawyer Rudolf Philip Jurado noted the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had conducted a study of the project and endorsed it to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
"Take note that the $100-million Marikina-Ortigas cable car project was approved by the Department of Transportation last year and was sent to NEDA for its approval. This Cable car project will ease the traffic in the eastern side of Metro Manila per studies of the DOTr," Jurado said.
Under the DOTr's proposal, a cable car system spanning 4.5 kilometers will link Marikina and Pasig Cities, with stops in parts of Quezon and Pasig Cities.
Padilla wrote on his Facebook post that the alignment will have six stations in LRT2 Santolan Station, Marikina City; Libis, Quezon City; Eastwood, Quezon City; Santolan, Pasig City; Manggahan, Pasig City; and Rosario, Pasig City.