Press Release
July 17, 2008

RP badly needs better mass transport systems -- Loren

Senator Loren Legarda yesterday cited the pressing need to improve the country's mass transport systems over land, water and air amidst the ever-increasing cost of oil and other petroleum products in the world market.

"It's high time the government started reviewing its transport policies and put premiums on efficient mass transport system," said Legarda, who filed Resolution No. 497 directing the Senate Committee on Public Services to review the existing transport policies.

Loren noted that many motorists have stopped or minimized using their private vehicles in the face of high cost of petroleum products, and turned to the present LRT (Light Rail Transit) and MRT (Metro Rail Transit), triggering a massive influx of commuters and an increased demand for mass transport systems.

Also, thousands of commuters found it economical to take trains for longer trips instead of taking the usual jeepneys and taxis, where fares have become exorbitant because of the skyrocketing prices of fuels.

"The rising cost of oil has caused an increased number of commuters resorting to public transits such as the LRT and the MRT in the National Capital Region. But the problem lies in the fact that commuters are often forced to pay additional amount for their fares as they ride a jeepney and other means to get to their destinations not serviced by mass transport system," explained Legarda.

"One of the economic indicators of a progressing nation would be the existence of efficient mass transport system, and the government should fast track the construction of additional mass transport system," she urged the government.

"The country stands to get plenty of gains once an effective mass transport system is put in place in other vital stretches. Thousands of commuters will no longer have to brave the traffic, and thus affording them shorter travel time," Legarda said.

Towards this end, Loren also urges to government to make efforts to encourage the private sector to participate in putting up more transport infrastructures in the country and "thereby provide more means of transportation for Filipino commuters.

"It is incumbent upon Congress to review the present policies in order to encourage private sector's participation. An efficient mass transport system has something to do with the development of one country," she said.

The Metropolitan area has at present been serviced by LRT (Baclaran to Monumento and vice versa) and the MRT, which covers such a major artery as Efipanio De Los Santos Ave (EDSA). The two lines seemed to be not enough to service the thousands of commuters, especially on rush hours.

Linkage to these transit lines could be provided by another projects - the North Luzon railway - but unfortunately the projects were put on hold.

The project, devided into four phases - phase 1 from Caloocan to Clark Field, Pampanga; phase 2 from Clark Field to Subic Bay; phase 3 from Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio; and Phase 4 from Clark Field, Pampanga to San Fernando, La Union - would accomplish manifold objectives.

First, it would provide fast, cheap and reliable mass transport services for passengers and goods from Metro Manila to Northern Luzon. Second, it would enhance and accelerate the development and growth of Central and Northern Luzon, besides decongesting the Metro Manila, which has not improved the traffic condition despite these metro trains.

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