DPWH chief backs subway for Metro

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson is supporting a proposal for a subway system to ease traffic in Metro Manila, particularly along EDSA.

“It is time that we have a subway,” Singson told editors and reporters of The STAR during a discussion on Wednesday.

“We need a mass transit subway. We are thinking of connecting it from the FTI (Food Terminal Inc.) in Taguig to an area near the Trinoma mall in Quezon City,” he said.

Singson said the plan is to put up bus terminals in Taguig and Quezon City where they can ride the subway to get to their destination.

He believes that the subway system is a viable project that will minimize the number of buses traversing EDSA.

“It will definitely decongest traffic along EDSA,” he said.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) earlier said that the Japan International Cooperation Agency  has offered to conduct a feasibility study to establish a subway system in the Philippines patterned after those in Japan, Hong Kong and the United States.

The DOTC said the government hopes to complete the feasibility study within the term of President Aquino.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino has also expressed his support for a subway system.