Foreign chambers say, ?LRT Bacoor Extension top priority too!?
February 09, 2007
Jinky Jorgio
Tel. Nos. 854-04-52/854-09-84
In a letter to President Arroyo, the group said they encourage the addition of the said extension project to the top priority category among a list of priority infrastructure projects for the country, noting that no major Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project has been financed and completed since the NCLEX project.
?When light rail moves large numbers of people efficiently and cleanly, it reduces congestion, pollution and business costs, and increases the competitiveness of the National Capital Region (NCR) and the country,? the group told President Arroyo.
Earlier, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) expressed their support on the position of the National Competitiveness Council and its Private Sector Infrastructure Team headed by Meneleo Carlos Jr. in endorsing the list of priority infrastructure projects.
In a letter to Pres. Arroyo, the Team identified the top 9 infrastructure projects from a list of 20 high-impact projects, which will significantly improve the country?s competitiveness when completed.
The LRTA?s North Extension Project, which will link its Yellow Line with Metrostar Express? Blue Line, is among those identified in the top 9.
The JFC however wanted the South Extension project?s inclusion in the list, explaining that the said project, as well as the MRT 7 and North Extension Projects, will make the NCR light rail system the second largest in ASEAN after Bankok?s 90-km rail rapid transit system.
Meanwhile, LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles expressed his gratitude over the JFC?s endorsement.
?We are very much thankful to the JFC for recognizing the high value of this project, which is aimed at extending the benefits of a safe, reliable cost-effective and efficient transportation to the people of Bacoor, Cavite,? Robles said.
The extension project will comprise a southern extension of the existing 15.20 km. Line 1 from the existing tail tracks south of Baclaran Station to Bacoor. It will have a total length of approximately 11.7 km, of which approximately 10.5 km will be elevated and 1.2 km will be at grade.
The said project will include 8 new passenger stations, with provision for 2 additional future stations.
The LRTA is currently awaiting the approval for its request for Forward Obligational Authority (FOA) from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the said project in order to launch the bidding for the public funding component, covering the requirements for civil works, site acquisition and related relocation works and other local counterpart costs.
Construction is set to begin by the middle of 2008 and will continue for 3 years more. The Phase I (Baclaran to Dr. Santos Station) of the project will be completed and will start its revenue service by the year 2010, while Phase II (Dr. Santos to Niyog, Bacoor) will be completed by 2012.
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