At least seven big ticket infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway and three other mass transport systems, will help solve the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and nearby areas, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday, April 10.
DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista discussed the long-term benefits of the transportation projects during the Bagong Pilipinas Townhall Meeting with President Marcos on Wednesday in San Juan City.
“I want to emphasize the long-term goal of our transport infrastructure projects, such as ongoing construction of railway systems, in providing permanent solutions to the traffic problem in the metropolis,” Bautista said.
“Our flagship road and rail infrastructures aim to alleviate traffic by offering comfortable, efficient and accessible public transport as a better alternative to private vehicle owners, thus lowering the number of road users,” he added.
Aside from the Metro Manila Subway, other train projects are the MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System.
The Metro Manila Subway is expected to be completed in 2029, the MRT-7 next year and the LRT-1 Cavite extension is expected to start the operation before the end of 2024.
The NSCR System is a 147-kilometer train system that is planned to connect Metro Manila to key areas in Bulacan and Pampanga in the north and in Laguna in the south.
It is expected to be completed by 2029 and once it becomes operational, it is expected to accommodate 800,000 passengers a day.
Bautista also cited the ongoing projects to improve the EDSA Busway and the EDSA Greenways Project, which was planned to improve the movement of pedestrians in Balintawak and Cubao in Quezon City, Guadalupe in Makati and Taft mass transit station in Pasay City. The EDSA Greenways Project is expected to be completed by 2027.
“The long term gains and benefits from big ticket transport projects will eclipse the short-term inconveniences caused by such projects as these will help improve mobility and connectivity en masse,” said Bautista.
He then urged inter-agency coordination to help speed up the completion of these projects.
“The success of our transport projects hinges on their timely completion, requiring the cooperation of multiple agencies. It requires a cohesive effort with agencies,” said Bautista.
Various national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) were present during the town hall discussions to tackle solutions in solving and alleviating Metro Manila’s traffic woes.