P2.3-T transport plan till 2030 up for approval – JICA

A long-term timetable for the P2.3-trillion transportation infrastructure plan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas will be presented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) before the Cabinet next month, the project’s proponent said on Friday. 

 

“We now have a roadmap,” Shizuo Iwata, JICA project manager said of the proposed “Dream Plan” for Metro Manila, Region III (Central Luzon) and Region IV-A (Calabarzon).

 

Iwata said their proposal for specific projects to be undertaken until 2016, up to 2020, and then to 2030 “will be presented in March” before the inter-agency infrastructure committee (InfraCom). 

 

The InfraCom is tasked with reviewing the government's infrastructure policy. 

 

If approved, JICA’s “Dream Plan” will be presented to the National Economic and Development Authority Board, Iwata said. President Benigno S. Aquino III is chairman of the NEDA board.

 

Under the Dream Plan, the government will have to create integrated mass transport systems that will cut through Metro Manila to address mounting traffic congestion and demand for mobility.

 

Among the 100 transport projects proposed are a commuter rail from Malolos, Bulacan to Calamba, Laguna and a subway passing through EDSA from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan to Dasmariñas, Cavite. 

 

Extensions and connections between existing rail systems in Metro Manila are also proposed. Currently, the capital region is served by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3. 

 

Urban roads; expressways; modernized fleet operations and improved routes for busses and jeepneys; and traffic management systems are also proposed. 

 

“Metro Manila’s problems can no longer be solved within Metro Manila,” said Iwata. 

 

As such, land planning and building large-scale and comprehensive residential, commercial and industrial centers in the fringe areas of Metro Manila are necessary. 

 

Based on JICA projections, traffic costs per day will be cut by an adjusted 41.35 percent in Metro Manila and by 15.2 percent in the Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite area in 2030 if the plan materializes. — JDS, GMA News