Lawmaker pushes EDSA subway

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo pushed yesterday for the construction of the proposed EDSA subway system and North-South Commuter Rail system in Metro Manila following reports describing the metropolis as having the ninth worst traffic congestion in the world.

Castelo, chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development, urged the government to consider the proposed transportation system to address the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.

Malolos to Calamba

He said the government should take notice of the recommendation made by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to construct on or before 2030 the proposed 91-kilometer North-South Commuter Rail with an elevated train system that links Malolos City in Bulacan in the north with Calamba City in Laguna in the south.

The JICA study has recommended the North-South Commuter Rail will be on a par with a modern high-capacity train system comparable to that in Japan and Europe. It will have future extension to the former Clark Air Base in Angeles City. It will not have level crossings at main roads, but create at-grade urban roads.

According to the JICA study, the EDSA subway system will promote north-south growth and improve dramatically the mobility and accessibility along EDSA and other routes.

The lawmaker urged the government to start the construction of the proposed 58-kilometer subway system that will pass through the entire 26-kilometer EDSA and extend to the cities of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan in the north and Dasmariñas, Cavite in the south.

He said the two projects, if pursued and completed by 2030, will strengthen the connectivity between Metro Manila and the adjoining towns in Region 3, or Central Luzon and Region 4-A, or the Calabarzon area.

They will lead to the development of new urban centers along their routes and encourage large residential demands.

Reports said the Philippines also ranked fourth in having the worst traffic situation in Asia, trailing after Bangladesh, Jordan and Iran.

Other countries in the top 10 worst traffic situation list are Kenya, Egypt, Bolivia, Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand.