Neophyte Senator Robinhood Padilla’s manifestation of aerial cable cars to be used in Metro Manila to help ease traffic came from a study of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) in the previous administration, according to former Government Corporate Counsel Atty. Rudolf Philip Jurado.
This comes after Padilla said on Sunday that the previous administration had approved a cable car system connecting Marikina and Pasig Cities in Metro Manila and even stressed that France had expressed willingness to support the project should it gain final approval.
“I fully support Sen. JV’s point, and this was where I also raised the suggestion for the aerial cable cars,” said Padilla after some misimpression his proposal.
Padilla said that the DoTr had previously conducted a project study and endorsed it to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“Take note that the $100-million Marikina-Ortigas cable car project was approved by the Department of Transportation last year and was sent to NEDA for its approval. This Cable car project will ease the traffic in the eastern side of Metro Manila per studies of the DoTr,” Jurado said.
According to the DoTr’s proposal, a 4.5-kilometer cable car system will connect Marikina and Pasig Cities, with stops in parts of Quezon and Pasig.
In 2018, under former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, the DoTr announced that it was looking into obtaining technical assistance or funding from the French government for a feasibility study on cable cars as an alternative mode of public transportation.
Former Transportation Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman in 2021 said the French consultants completed the feasibility study and the other required studies by the NEDA. The project was endorsed by DoTr to NEDA for evaluation and approval on 16 March 2021.
The Daily Tribune has reached out to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to inquire about the proposed cable car since it was up for NEDA’s approval, but they have yet to respond.
A report from 2021 revealed the proposed line would connect the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) in Marikina City and the planned Metro Rail Transit Line 4 along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Pasig City.
The proposed stations are LRT2 Santolan Station, Marikina City; Libis, Quezon City; Eastwood, Quezon City; Santolan, Pasig City; Manggahan Pasig City and Rosario, Pasig City.
The planned cable car system would have a detachable gondola lift with enclosed 10-seater cabins, and according to the project briefer, there will be around 180 cabins.