All systems go for construction of MRT-LRT loop - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - It is all systems go now for the extension of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) from North Avenue in Quezon City to Monumento in Caloocan City, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Tuesday. Dureza said this was after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued the appropriate documents for the project, including construction permits to the project officers and engineers. The construction of the MRT-Light Rail Transit loop project has been delayed due to MMDA’s refusal to issue the permits until the contractors are able to meet the requirements. Dureza said the problem was threshed out during the National Economic and Development Authority-Cabinet meeting in Malacañang earlier in the day. "There were some things that have to be cleared out with MMDA and with the contractor and the project officials and they were able to resolve this today. The documents had already been issued the permits, so it's a go now as far as the projects is concerned," he said. Dureza added that with the resolution of the differences between the MMDA and the project officials, the MRT-LRT loop project, a priority one under the Arroyo administration, “is going to be realized soon.” President Arroyo last month said the government is wiling to shoulder the P6 billion budget needed for the elevated railway project that would close the MRT-LRT loop. The civil or construction works for the project was initially set for September 1, which would cover the putting up of viaducts, pedestrian overpasses and foundation. The DMCI-First Balfour won the biding for the phase A and B of the project, which covers the designing and civil works aspect and the designs and train station construction. Phase C, covering the "electro-mechanical aspects" of the project, is still undergoing the bidding process. The MRT-LRT extension would cover at least five stations and span 5.71 kilometers. It is expected to be completed and operational by May 2010. Three new stations in Balintawak, Roosevelt/Muñoz and North would be built while the North Avenue Station of the MRT and the Monumento Grand Central station of the LRT 1 would be improved. - GMANews.TV