LRT-MRT link is nat'l priority - NEDA
Source: Philippine Star,Tuesday, 21 September 2004
Author: Ted P. Torres
The Interagency Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICCC) of the NEDA Board classified as "national priority" the proposed closing, or linking, of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Loop.
"Although the undertaking is now considered a national priority project, we need to wait for the DOTC to submit a proposal before any evaluation by the ICC can commence," Librado F. Quitoriano, officer-in charge of the Infrastructure Staff, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said in statement.
The NEDA is the lead agency of the ICC. The link would involve the connection between the existing Monumento station of the LRT Line 1 and the North Avenue station of MRT Line 3.
The existing LRT Line 1 runs from Baclaran in the south to Monumento in the north traversing Taft and Rizal Avenues for a total length of 14.5 kilometers covering 18 stations.
MRT 3, Phase 1, on the hand, traverses EDSA from Taft Avenue in the south to the EDSA North Avenue intersection in the north for a total lenght of 16.9 kilometers covering 13 stations.
This would put in operation a loop transit network for a seamless interface connection with other LRT/MRT systems and other modes of transport.
"The riding public would greatly benefit from the project, which is also expected to decongest the whole of Metro Manila," Quitoriano added.
The closing of the loop would proceed under a built-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme through a solicited mode.
This complies with the provisions of the BOT Law, or Republic Act 6957 as amended by RA 7718, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which states, among others, that projects to be implemented under a BOT scheme or variant may only proceed through a solicited mode.
BOT proposals that proceed under solicited mode are proposals that originate from the implementing agencies, which is the DOTC for this case.
On the other hand, BOT projects under unsolicited mode originate from private sector proponents, where proposals are submitted to the implementing agency, which then evaluate and endorse the proposal to the appropriate approving body.
The NEDA official expressed hope that the project could push through as soon as possible, noting that the decentralization of progress around the nation through the development of a reliable transportation network is one of President Arroyo's 10-point development agenda.
"It will not only decongest Metro Manila, it will also help facilitate the implementation of housing projects and the development of new centers for government, business, and housing within the area," the NEDA officials said.
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