News Release

PBBM admin to continue pursuing mass transport system to address traffic congestion



The administration will continue pushing for the construction of a mass transport system in the country, particularly in urban centers, to address traffic congestion, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

Speaking during Bagong Pilipinas Townhall meeting in San Juan, President Marcos enumerated the ongoing projects aimed at addressing the issue, stressing there is no other solution to Metro Manila’s traffic woes except by adopting a mass transport system.

“Kaya’t nakikita natin sa mga ibang lugar, kahit ‘yung mga — pag pupunta ka, sasakay ka ng tren, sasakay ka ng subway, makikita mo lahat ng klase ng tao doon sumasakay. Kahit ‘yung mga mayayaman na may kaya, sumasakay sa tren dahil ‘yun ang pinakamabilis mapuntahan. Kahit na ‘yung malalaking siyudad, New York ganoon, London ganoon,” Marcos told the townhall meeting.

“Kaya’t ‘yan talaga ang tanging solusyon. Kaya’t ‘yan ang aming pinupursige para mapalagyan natin, pagandahin natin, mapalawak natin, mapabilis natin ang mass transport system, malipat ang pagbyahe, kung mga commuter imbis na sumakay ng bus, ng tricycle, ng jeepney, o ‘yung sarili nilang sasakyan ay sila’y sumakay na sa mass transit system,” he added.

The economy is absorbing heavy toll from traffic congestion, Marcos said, noting the recent statistic showing P4.9 billion commuting cost in Metro Manila each day.

“Kung wala tayong gawin, aakyat ito ng halos P9 billion kada araw. Tapos ang analysis ng NEDA at saka ng Department of Finance P3.5 billion ang nawawala sa atin, ‘yung tinatawag na opportunity cost. Nasasayang na oras, ang mga dapat na productivity natin bumabagsak dahil nga nag-antay tayo ng sasakyan,” the President said.

“Kaya’t diyan tayo pupunta. Ang tanging sagot dito — talaga, ay ‘yung mga mass transit system kaya’t ‘yun ang aming minamadali. ‘Yun ang aming gagawin na priority, hanggang ngayon ay priority sa mga imprastraktura kontra sa trapiko,” he added.

Marcos also reported the ongoing construction of railway projects, as well as the current phases of development.

The North-South Commuter Railway project, or the Tutuban to Malolos is already 61 percent complete, while the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project, or Malolos to Clark is 56.5 percent complete, Marcos said.

The North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project-South extension, or Manila to Calamba is 38 percent complete; Metro Manila Subway Project, 41 percent complete; LRT Line 1, Cavite extension, 80 percent complete; MRT Line 3 rehabilitation and maintenance, 85 percent complete; Unified Grand Central station, or the Quezon City common station, 83 percent finished; and the MRT line from Quezon City to Bulacan, 67 percent complete. PND