Subway, rail projects get high priority in PHL transport roadmap

Mass transit infrastructures are taking priority over road projects under the government's Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas.

The proposed Mega Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway and other mass transportation projects are the "more important" components of the roadmap, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson told reporters Tuesday.

"I am really pushing for an early implementation and decision on the rail components. As far as DPWH is concerned, what we really need this time for Metro Manila to become more livable is mass transport," he said.

The Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has pledged assistance for the projects.

For the proposed North-South Commuter Railway, Japan will provide a concessional loan amounting to P89 billion for the first phase of the 36.7-kilometer railway from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan.

The Japanese government is also funding the feasibility study on the proposed Mega Manila Subway. 

President Benigno Aquino III and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will sign the loan agreement for the railway project in November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Manila, Balisacan said.

Japan will decide on possibly extending financing assistance to the Philippines on a project-to-project basis, said Noriaki Niwa, the chief representative of JICA to the Philippines.

Aside from availing of official development assistance from Japan, the government remains open to other funding options such as public-private partnerships, Balisacan said.

The railway and subway projects are aimed at easing traffic within the National Capital Region.

The Philippine government has asked JICA about possibly fast-tracking certain aspects of the projects during the first meeting of the Ministerial-level Steering Committee on the roadmap on Tuesday. —KBK/JST, GMA News