The Department of Transportation has laid down a significant stride in the first 100 days of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a video message posted on the DoTR official Facebook page, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the extension of the ‘Libreng Sakay’ at the EDSA Busway benefiting more than 33.2 million commuters is one of the notable accomplishments for the past 100 days.
Bautista said face-to-face classes had commenced prompting the agency to coordinate with various partner agencies for a smooth transition that ensured safe and accessible transportation for students.
Still, for the road sector, he said the government has reopened 119 routes used by 12,255 authorized buses and jeepneys.
“We also offered ‘Libreng Sakay’ at the LRT benefitting close to 700,000 enjoying free rides on their way to and from the schools. Speaking of trains, we have just broken ground for the construction of two major stations—the Ortigas and Shaw Boulevard stations of the Metro Manila Subway, the country’s first underground subway system,” Bautista said.
17 stations set
Manila’s new metro line runs for 33km from Valenzuela City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or a total of 17 stations that are expected to be fully operational by 2028, with eight-car trains carrying up to 2242 passengers each.
Construction commenced on Contract Package 104, awarded to a joint venture of Japanese contractors Tokyu and Tobishima with Megawide Construction of the Philippines for P17.75 billion ($301M).
On the other hand, the construction of the South Commuter Railway system from Muntinlupa to Calamba is underway following the contract signing of a P90 billion loan between Bautista and the Asian Development Bank, co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The entire NSCR will stretch from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba City in Laguna, expected to be fully operational by 2028, generating 110,000 direct and indirect jobs.
And for the aviation sector, the DoTR has also opened the new passenger terminal building at Clark International Airport, which was eyed to recover the lost revenues of tourism and local business when the Covid 19 hit the country.
“These and other transport projects will not only generate jobs but also provide economic and social benefits to various communities, while providing safe, accessible, comfortable, and affordable transport. These are our humble contributions to this Administration’s thrust to improve the lives of Filipinos,” according to Bautista.