Source: Today, Monday, 21 July 2003
The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) plans to construct a unified rail system throughout Metro Manila in a bid to ease traffic and decongest its transport network.
In a report to President Arroyo, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the DOTC will build rail and road infrastructure that would give the city dwellers the opportunity "to enjoy living in the metropolis."
Mendoza said the rail-transport sector provides "the most effective and efficient mode of mass transport that will alleviate traffic congestion, improve the quality of life of city residents and promote sustainable development by linking the city with the industrial sectors of surrounding provincial areas."
Assistant DOTC Secretary Robert Castañares identified the ongoing and proposed projects for the construction of additional elevated railroad systems as follows:
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Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1, whose capacity will be expanded and extended southward to Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite;
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Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 2, which has started partial operation from Santolan to Cubao up to Recto, Manila and will be full operation by April 2004;
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MRT 4 Project, a 22.6 km double track carriage running from the old Bilibid Development Public Estate Authority in Manila to Quirino Highway in Novaliches, passing through España, Quezon, Commonwealth and Regalado avenues;
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MRT 7, which will provide a more efficient and safer alternate mode of passenger transport on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City up to Tala in Caloocan City, and adjoining municipality of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan;
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MRT 8, or East Line, will traverse 48 km with several tunnel sections.(7.8 km) from Pililla to Santa Cruz, Laguna. Phase 1 will run for 16.8 km on elevated doubletrack guideways from Santa Mesa, Manila, to Taytay, Rizal; then from Taytay to Angono, Rizal, serving to decongest Manila, Mandaluyong and Pasig, and the towns of Cainta, Taytay and Angono. It will follow the general alignment of Shaw Boulevard and Ortigas Avenue, and entail construction of 14 stations;
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MRT 2 Masinag Extension Project, a 4-km eastern extension of MRT Line 2 from Santolan station to Masinag, Antipolo, with three additional stations at Imelda Avenue, Samsonville and Masinag area;
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South Manila Commuters Railway Project. This project aims to revitalize the existing PNR commuter service in Metro Manila from Caloocan/Tutuban to Alabang (Phase 1) and the adjoining municipalities of San Pedro, Biñan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba, Laguna (Phase 2).
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