CLARK FREEPORT -- The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board on Friday, November 29, approved key infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) seen to improve road network connectivity of the country’s main three islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon, who is also the presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects, said the projects include the land transport in Mindanao, such as the Davao Public Transport Bus Modernization Project and the Samal Island - Davao City Connector Project.
The Davao Public Transport Bus Modernization Project involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City.
The Samal Island - Davao City Connector Project is expected to cut travel time from 26 to 30 minutes using Roro/ferry operations to just two to five minutes.
The Neda Board also approved the New Bohol (Panglao) International Airport and the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), both unsolicited proposals from the private sector; as well as major highways in Bicol Region, such as the Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Highway and the Camarines Sur Expressway.
The projects are part of the revised list of IFPs, which was also approved by the Neda Board Friday.
“The swift approval of the projects show how serious the government is in moving towards the realization of the Build Build Build program and allow our people - to use the words of the President - to ‘use use use’ them in order to live a more comfortable life,” Dizon said.
The 100 flagship projects out of the thousands of projects under the Build Build Build program have a total projected cost of P4.25 trillion. The list covers five categories, namely Transport and Mobility, Power, Water, Information and Communications Technology, and Urban Development and Renewal.
Dizon earlier committed that all 100 flagship projects will be started under the term of President Duterte.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1834331
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Duterte okays NAIA rehab project
By Chino S.Leyco
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has given the green light to the unsolicited proposal from a consortium of big private businesses to modernize the aging Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Department of Finance (DOF) announced yesterday.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the ₱102-billion NAIA rehabilitation project was approved during the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting chaired by President Duterte yesterday.
The unsolicited proposal was submitted by Ayala Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Alliance Global Group, Inc., Asia Emerging Dragon, Filinvest Development, JG Summit and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. that sought the operation and upgrade of Metro Manila’s main air gateway.
Just last month, the Duterte administration included the NAIA rehabilitation plan in its upgraded list of flagship infrastructure projects along with the ₱735-billion New Manila International Airport by the San Miguel Corp.
Under the proposal, the so-called “super consortium” will transform NAIA into a regional airport hub and expand its capacity to meet the anticipated growth in passenger traffic.
But before the NAIA rehabilitation plan received President’s approval, the project suffered delays after the government returned the consortium’s proposed concession agreement.
The private proponent needed to adjust its draft concession agreement submitted to the Department of Transportation to conform with the government’s new standard for unsolicited projects.
President Duterte has standardized and patterned all draft agreements on unsolicited proposals to the operation and maintenance contract of Clark International Airport which covers provisions for MAGA or material adverse government action.
Under the MAGA clause, proponents will only be compensated for adverse government action from the executive branch and not for any change in future laws.
If MAGA occurs during the operation and maintenance period, the project proponent is entitled to compensation equal to the additional costs incurred and/or loss of revenue.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/11/29/duterte-okays-naia-rehab-project/
President Rodrigo R. Duterte has given the green light to the unsolicited proposal from a consortium of big private businesses to modernize the aging Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Department of Finance (DOF) announced yesterday.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the ₱102-billion NAIA rehabilitation project was approved during the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting chaired by President Duterte yesterday.
The unsolicited proposal was submitted by Ayala Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Alliance Global Group, Inc., Asia Emerging Dragon, Filinvest Development, JG Summit and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. that sought the operation and upgrade of Metro Manila’s main air gateway.
Just last month, the Duterte administration included the NAIA rehabilitation plan in its upgraded list of flagship infrastructure projects along with the ₱735-billion New Manila International Airport by the San Miguel Corp.
Under the proposal, the so-called “super consortium” will transform NAIA into a regional airport hub and expand its capacity to meet the anticipated growth in passenger traffic.
But before the NAIA rehabilitation plan received President’s approval, the project suffered delays after the government returned the consortium’s proposed concession agreement.
The private proponent needed to adjust its draft concession agreement submitted to the Department of Transportation to conform with the government’s new standard for unsolicited projects.
President Duterte has standardized and patterned all draft agreements on unsolicited proposals to the operation and maintenance contract of Clark International Airport which covers provisions for MAGA or material adverse government action.
Under the MAGA clause, proponents will only be compensated for adverse government action from the executive branch and not for any change in future laws.
If MAGA occurs during the operation and maintenance period, the project proponent is entitled to compensation equal to the additional costs incurred and/or loss of revenue.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/11/29/duterte-okays-naia-rehab-project/
DOTr cites court rulings to speed up MRT-7
By Emmie V. Abadilla
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lauded the courts’ upholding the state’s right to expropriate property for the 20-hectare proposed depot site of the ₱63-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) in Lagro, Quezon City.
To date, MRT7 is halfway complete, 17 years after project proponents submitted their unsolicited proposal to the government. For the last couple of years, the railway project has been mired in Right of Way (ROW) issues.
Now, the DOTr and project concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc. (SMRT7), has formally began construction work for the MRT-7 depot in Quezon City after two Regional Trial Courts ruled in their favor.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade the other day thanked the judiciary for recognizing the importance of the MRT-7 project, emphasizing it is “vital to uphold the right of the government to expropriate in accelerating the completion of much-needed transportation infrastructure projects.”
“The actions of the lower courts are indeed a welcome development and an important milestone in the pursuit of the objective of the Duterte administration to give the Filipinos the comfortable life they deserve,” he underscored after the two Quezon City Regional Trial Courts granted writs of possession in favor of DOTr and SMRT7 for expropriating the MRT-7 depot site along the Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City.
Last June 29, he approved the new Lagro depot site to replace the original 33-hectare depot site in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan after the property owner questioned its expropriation at the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 11. The latter ruled for a higher valuation, jacking up the private proponent’s required deposit for MRT7 900 percent, from ₱67.105 million to ₱598.905 million.
The DOTr elevated the case to the Court of Appeals but it was “taking forever to resolve the issue.”
Next, the DOTr offered to buy the replacement depot site in Lagro, owned by “a major real estate development company” at current market value, as appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser” because it was “optimal for right-of-way implementability, asset constructibility, capital expenditure and operational expense efficiency, and operational reliability and maintainability.”
The property owners refused to sell. Hence, the DOTr and SMRT7 filed expropriation cases through the Office of the Solicitor General last Nov. 15.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 issued the writ of expropriation on November 22 and RTC Branch 98, three days after. The sheriffs of the two courts enforced the writs and work on the Lagro depot “formally started” November 26, 2019.
The depot, where trains are parked or repaired, is an integral part of any railway and the project can now proceed without major stumbling blocks, according to the DOTr.
The MRT-7 project will run 23 kilometers, from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, with a travel time of 34 minutes from one end to the other, servicing 300,000 to 850,000 passengers daily.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/11/29/dotr-cites-court-rulings-to-speed-up-mrt-7/
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lauded the courts’ upholding the state’s right to expropriate property for the 20-hectare proposed depot site of the ₱63-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) in Lagro, Quezon City.
To date, MRT7 is halfway complete, 17 years after project proponents submitted their unsolicited proposal to the government. For the last couple of years, the railway project has been mired in Right of Way (ROW) issues.
Now, the DOTr and project concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc. (SMRT7), has formally began construction work for the MRT-7 depot in Quezon City after two Regional Trial Courts ruled in their favor.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade the other day thanked the judiciary for recognizing the importance of the MRT-7 project, emphasizing it is “vital to uphold the right of the government to expropriate in accelerating the completion of much-needed transportation infrastructure projects.”
“The actions of the lower courts are indeed a welcome development and an important milestone in the pursuit of the objective of the Duterte administration to give the Filipinos the comfortable life they deserve,” he underscored after the two Quezon City Regional Trial Courts granted writs of possession in favor of DOTr and SMRT7 for expropriating the MRT-7 depot site along the Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City.
Last June 29, he approved the new Lagro depot site to replace the original 33-hectare depot site in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan after the property owner questioned its expropriation at the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 11. The latter ruled for a higher valuation, jacking up the private proponent’s required deposit for MRT7 900 percent, from ₱67.105 million to ₱598.905 million.
The DOTr elevated the case to the Court of Appeals but it was “taking forever to resolve the issue.”
Next, the DOTr offered to buy the replacement depot site in Lagro, owned by “a major real estate development company” at current market value, as appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser” because it was “optimal for right-of-way implementability, asset constructibility, capital expenditure and operational expense efficiency, and operational reliability and maintainability.”
The property owners refused to sell. Hence, the DOTr and SMRT7 filed expropriation cases through the Office of the Solicitor General last Nov. 15.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 issued the writ of expropriation on November 22 and RTC Branch 98, three days after. The sheriffs of the two courts enforced the writs and work on the Lagro depot “formally started” November 26, 2019.
The depot, where trains are parked or repaired, is an integral part of any railway and the project can now proceed without major stumbling blocks, according to the DOTr.
The MRT-7 project will run 23 kilometers, from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, with a travel time of 34 minutes from one end to the other, servicing 300,000 to 850,000 passengers daily.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/11/29/dotr-cites-court-rulings-to-speed-up-mrt-7/
Friday, November 29, 2019
NAIA Consortium proposal gets go signal from NEDA Board
The proposal of top Philippine conglomerates to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport gets the green light from the powerful NEDA Board
After several revisions, the proposal of the country's top conglomerates to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was finally approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Friday, November 29.
The P102-billion build-operate-transfer proposal by the NAIA Consortium aims to address NAIA's constraints by "reconfiguring and renovating existing facilities and enhancing operation and maintenance of the airport."
The concession agreement would last for 15 years, from the initial 35-year proposal.
Once completed, the airport will be able to handle much more than the 31 million it was designed to accommodate.
The 7 partners in the "super consortium" are Aboitiz InfraCapital Incorporated, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Alliance Global Group Incorporated, Asia's Emerging Dragon Corporation, Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings Incorporated, and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.
The proposal will now undergo a Swiss challenge, where the government invites private groups to make competing offers, while giving the original proponent the right to match them.
Meanwhile, the NEDA Board also approved the unsolicited proposal for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport by Aboitiz InfraCapital.
The proposal covers the operations and maintenance of the airport, including the initial enhancement and installation of internal fit-outs of existing facilities.
https://www.rappler.com/business/246067-naia-consortium-proposal-approved-neda-board
After several revisions, the proposal of the country's top conglomerates to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was finally approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Friday, November 29.
The P102-billion build-operate-transfer proposal by the NAIA Consortium aims to address NAIA's constraints by "reconfiguring and renovating existing facilities and enhancing operation and maintenance of the airport."
The concession agreement would last for 15 years, from the initial 35-year proposal.
Once completed, the airport will be able to handle much more than the 31 million it was designed to accommodate.
The 7 partners in the "super consortium" are Aboitiz InfraCapital Incorporated, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Alliance Global Group Incorporated, Asia's Emerging Dragon Corporation, Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings Incorporated, and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.
The proposal will now undergo a Swiss challenge, where the government invites private groups to make competing offers, while giving the original proponent the right to match them.
Meanwhile, the NEDA Board also approved the unsolicited proposal for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport by Aboitiz InfraCapital.
The proposal covers the operations and maintenance of the airport, including the initial enhancement and installation of internal fit-outs of existing facilities.
https://www.rappler.com/business/246067-naia-consortium-proposal-approved-neda-board
NEDA Board approves tycoons’ NAIA rehab proposal
By Beatrice M. Laforga
THE National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Friday approved an unsolicited proposal from the country’s top tycoons to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as well as five other infrastructure projects and the revised list of infrastructure flagship projects.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said on Friday that the P102-billion proposal to rehabilitate the NAIA has secured its final approval from the NEDA Board, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte chairs.
With the approval, the NAIA rehabilitation will be subjected to a Swiss challenge.
Under the Swiss challenge, companies are invited to submit counterproposals to the project, which the original proponent may then match.
A “super consortium” composed of seven conglomerates, had offered to rehabilitate and expand NAIA over 15-year period at a project cost of P102 billion. The conglomerates involved are Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.; AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp.; Alliance Global Group, Inc.; Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp.; Filinvest Development Corp.; JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., had the NAIA rehabilitation is expected to increase its capacity to handle passengers to 47 million a year in the first two years and further expand this to 65 million after four years.
The international airport has been operating beyond its 30.5-million passenger capacity with 45.3 million passengers last year, 42 million in 2017 and 39.5 million in 2016.
FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
In a phone message on Friday, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon said that the NEDA Board approval of the revised list of infrastructure flagship projects showed how serious the government is in implementing the Build, Build, Build program.
Among the approved projects that are included in the list, Mr. Dizon said, are the proposals for NAIA rehabilitation, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project and the Davao public transport modernization project.
“All these are in the list of 100 flagship projects so this shows how serious the government is in swiftly moving towards the realization of the Build, Build, Build program and allow our people — to use the words of the President — to use use use them in order to live a more comfortable life,” said Mr. Dizon, who is also the presidential adviser for flagship infrastructure projects.
Midway through the administration’s term, the government reviewed and decided to revise its list of infrastructure flagship program to 100 from the previous 75 projects, scrapping those deemed no longer feasible while including “small but game-changing ones”.
OTHER PROJECTS
In a statement released Friday, the NEDA Board has approved a total of seven new projects on Friday with an estimated total project cost of P187.34 billion.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia was quoted in the statement, saying that five out of seven projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region.
“This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities,” Mr. Pernia said.
Among the projects that secured NEDA Board’s nod are the unsolicited proposal for the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the P18.66-billion Davao public transport modernization project of the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
The Davao public transport modernization project will be financed through official development assistance (ODA) loans and is targetted for construction next year through 2023. The project “involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City,” the statement read.
Three projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were also approved, namely the P14.97 billion Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway, the P23.04-billion SIDC project and the P9.23 billion Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway.
The Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway is earmarked for implementation next year until 2023 and is expected to be opened by 2024.
The project plans to construct a “four-lane coastal tourism highway along the west coast of Camarines Sur, with a total length of 40.69 kilometers,” as well as the construction of 13 bridges.
The SIDC project aims to construct a permanent road linking Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal by 2025.
“The Project involves the construction of a toll-free four-lane [two-lane each direction] bridge with an approximate length of 2.80 kilometers, a width of 24.2 meters, and a vertical clearance of 45 meters that can serve around 25,000 vehicles a day,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway, a 15.21-kilometer four-lane highway, will provide an alternative route from Legazpi to Caramoan to Manila, and vice versa.
Lastly, Department of Health’s P15.53 billion Development Objective Assistance agreement for improved health for undeserved Filipinos was also approved and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024.
“The program will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement. The following are the planned activities under the program: tuberculosis; family planning; and health systems strengthening,” NEDA said.
Also during the same meeting, the NEDA Board said that Investment Coordination Committe-Cabinet Committee approved to increase the cost and change the scope of Mindanao Railway Project: Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment to PhP81.69 billion.
“The NEDA Board also noted the earlier confirmation ad referendum of 20 projects from August 22 to October 9 this year. These include projects from DPWH (9), DoTr (3), Department of Finance (3), Philippine Competition Commission (1), Department of Agriculture (1), Landbank of the Philippines (1), National Irrigation Administration (1), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (1),” the statement read further.
https://www.bworldonline.com/neda-board-approves-tycoons-naia-rehab-proposal/
THE National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Friday approved an unsolicited proposal from the country’s top tycoons to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as well as five other infrastructure projects and the revised list of infrastructure flagship projects.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said on Friday that the P102-billion proposal to rehabilitate the NAIA has secured its final approval from the NEDA Board, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte chairs.
With the approval, the NAIA rehabilitation will be subjected to a Swiss challenge.
Under the Swiss challenge, companies are invited to submit counterproposals to the project, which the original proponent may then match.
A “super consortium” composed of seven conglomerates, had offered to rehabilitate and expand NAIA over 15-year period at a project cost of P102 billion. The conglomerates involved are Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.; AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp.; Alliance Global Group, Inc.; Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp.; Filinvest Development Corp.; JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., had the NAIA rehabilitation is expected to increase its capacity to handle passengers to 47 million a year in the first two years and further expand this to 65 million after four years.
The international airport has been operating beyond its 30.5-million passenger capacity with 45.3 million passengers last year, 42 million in 2017 and 39.5 million in 2016.
FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
In a phone message on Friday, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio B. Dizon said that the NEDA Board approval of the revised list of infrastructure flagship projects showed how serious the government is in implementing the Build, Build, Build program.
Among the approved projects that are included in the list, Mr. Dizon said, are the proposals for NAIA rehabilitation, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project and the Davao public transport modernization project.
“All these are in the list of 100 flagship projects so this shows how serious the government is in swiftly moving towards the realization of the Build, Build, Build program and allow our people — to use the words of the President — to use use use them in order to live a more comfortable life,” said Mr. Dizon, who is also the presidential adviser for flagship infrastructure projects.
Midway through the administration’s term, the government reviewed and decided to revise its list of infrastructure flagship program to 100 from the previous 75 projects, scrapping those deemed no longer feasible while including “small but game-changing ones”.
OTHER PROJECTS
In a statement released Friday, the NEDA Board has approved a total of seven new projects on Friday with an estimated total project cost of P187.34 billion.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia was quoted in the statement, saying that five out of seven projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region.
“This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities,” Mr. Pernia said.
Among the projects that secured NEDA Board’s nod are the unsolicited proposal for the new Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the P18.66-billion Davao public transport modernization project of the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
The Davao public transport modernization project will be financed through official development assistance (ODA) loans and is targetted for construction next year through 2023. The project “involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City,” the statement read.
Three projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were also approved, namely the P14.97 billion Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway, the P23.04-billion SIDC project and the P9.23 billion Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway.
The Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway is earmarked for implementation next year until 2023 and is expected to be opened by 2024.
The project plans to construct a “four-lane coastal tourism highway along the west coast of Camarines Sur, with a total length of 40.69 kilometers,” as well as the construction of 13 bridges.
The SIDC project aims to construct a permanent road linking Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal by 2025.
“The Project involves the construction of a toll-free four-lane [two-lane each direction] bridge with an approximate length of 2.80 kilometers, a width of 24.2 meters, and a vertical clearance of 45 meters that can serve around 25,000 vehicles a day,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway, a 15.21-kilometer four-lane highway, will provide an alternative route from Legazpi to Caramoan to Manila, and vice versa.
Lastly, Department of Health’s P15.53 billion Development Objective Assistance agreement for improved health for undeserved Filipinos was also approved and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024.
“The program will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement. The following are the planned activities under the program: tuberculosis; family planning; and health systems strengthening,” NEDA said.
Also during the same meeting, the NEDA Board said that Investment Coordination Committe-Cabinet Committee approved to increase the cost and change the scope of Mindanao Railway Project: Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment to PhP81.69 billion.
“The NEDA Board also noted the earlier confirmation ad referendum of 20 projects from August 22 to October 9 this year. These include projects from DPWH (9), DoTr (3), Department of Finance (3), Philippine Competition Commission (1), Department of Agriculture (1), Landbank of the Philippines (1), National Irrigation Administration (1), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (1),” the statement read further.
https://www.bworldonline.com/neda-board-approves-tycoons-naia-rehab-proposal/
NEDA Board approves P187.34B worth of projects
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved on Friday seven new projects worth P187.34 billion.
According to NEDA, three of the projects came from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), three are from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and one project is to be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).
"Five out of seven of these new projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.
This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities," he added.
DOTr's first project is the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project which involves the delivery of a modern high priority bus system for Davao City. The second project is the maintenance and enhancement of the New Bohol International Airport.
Meanwhile, the third project of the DOTr is about the reconfiguration and renovation of existing facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as enhancing its operations and maintenance.
The first project of the DPWH is the Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway, which will provide access to various tourism sites and a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan in Camarines Sur.
DPWH's second project is the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project which aims to reduce travel time and reliability constraints experienced during the use of ferry services.
The third project of DPWH, the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway, will meanwhile serve as an alternate route from Legazpi or Caramoan to Manila, and vice versa.
Meanwhile, DOH's project is the Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos.
According to the statement, it "will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement." —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/717283/neda-board-approves-p187-34b-worth-of-projects/story/
According to NEDA, three of the projects came from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), three are from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and one project is to be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).
"Five out of seven of these new projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.
This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities," he added.
DOTr's first project is the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project which involves the delivery of a modern high priority bus system for Davao City. The second project is the maintenance and enhancement of the New Bohol International Airport.
Meanwhile, the third project of the DOTr is about the reconfiguration and renovation of existing facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as enhancing its operations and maintenance.
The first project of the DPWH is the Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway, which will provide access to various tourism sites and a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan in Camarines Sur.
DPWH's second project is the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project which aims to reduce travel time and reliability constraints experienced during the use of ferry services.
The third project of DPWH, the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway, will meanwhile serve as an alternate route from Legazpi or Caramoan to Manila, and vice versa.
Meanwhile, DOH's project is the Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos.
According to the statement, it "will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement." —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/717283/neda-board-approves-p187-34b-worth-of-projects/story/
Thursday, November 28, 2019
MRT 7 on track for partial opening in 2021
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) took control of a property in Quezon City to be used for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 7 train depot—removing a key obstacle as they aim for partial operations by 2021.
The DOTr said on Wednesday that work on the 20-hectare depot, where unused trains were parked or were being repaired, started on Nov. 26 after they obtained favorable writs of possession issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 92 and 98.
The development, which also made use of Republic Act No. 10752, or the Right of Way Act, ensures continued progress for the MRT 7, a 23-kilometer line that will link San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and North Avenue in Quezon City.
Once finished by 2022, MRT 7 will cut travel time from Manila to Bulacan from two hours to 34 minutes.
MRT 7 will also connect to the DOTr’s massive Quezon City common station project, a transport gateway that will also house stations for the MRT 3, Light Rail Transit Line 1 and eventually the Metro Manila subway, when it opens in 2021.
“The start of depot works signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project. It shows us that when the judiciary work hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development to the Filipino people,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement on Wednesday.
The P63-billion MRT 7 is expected to serve 300,000 to 850,000 passengers a day. The DOTr said it was close to 50-percent finished as of October this year.
Earlier, the DOTr and SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 (SMRT7) identified the new depot site along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City. This was chosen for its location, cost and operational reliability.
The depot site was approved by Tugade on June 29 and the DOTr offered to buy the property from lot owners at the current market value, which was appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser.
The main landowner was Century Communities Corp., part of the Antonio family’s Century Properties Group Inc.
According to documents provided to the Inquirer, the site was formerly owned by Century Communities Corp., a real estate developer, which was offered a compensation offer of P394 million based on the appraised value of P3,600 per square meter.
The department said delays cropped up after the property owners refused its offer.
The DOTr and SMRT7, in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), filed an expropriation case on Nov. 15.
The writs of possession were issued in favor of the DOTr and SMRT7 on Nov. 22 and Nov. 25.
A writ of possession is a writ of execution employed to enforce a judgment to recover the possession of land. It commands the sheriff to enter the land and give its possession to the party entitled under the judgment.
The courts’ rulings ended the DOTr’s two-year struggle to acquire a depot site for MRT 7. The department and SMRT7 earlier attempted to secure a 33-ha lot in San Jose del Monte for the depot, but failed after a Malolos RTC effectively raised the zonal valuation there by nearly 900 percent. SMC held the MRT 7 groundbreaking ceremony in April 2016. –With a report from Krixia Subingsubing
https://business.inquirer.net/284242/mrt-7-on-track-for-partial-opening-in-2021
The DOTr said on Wednesday that work on the 20-hectare depot, where unused trains were parked or were being repaired, started on Nov. 26 after they obtained favorable writs of possession issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 92 and 98.
The development, which also made use of Republic Act No. 10752, or the Right of Way Act, ensures continued progress for the MRT 7, a 23-kilometer line that will link San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and North Avenue in Quezon City.
Once finished by 2022, MRT 7 will cut travel time from Manila to Bulacan from two hours to 34 minutes.
MRT 7 will also connect to the DOTr’s massive Quezon City common station project, a transport gateway that will also house stations for the MRT 3, Light Rail Transit Line 1 and eventually the Metro Manila subway, when it opens in 2021.
“The start of depot works signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project. It shows us that when the judiciary work hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development to the Filipino people,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a statement on Wednesday.
The P63-billion MRT 7 is expected to serve 300,000 to 850,000 passengers a day. The DOTr said it was close to 50-percent finished as of October this year.
Earlier, the DOTr and SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 (SMRT7) identified the new depot site along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City. This was chosen for its location, cost and operational reliability.
The depot site was approved by Tugade on June 29 and the DOTr offered to buy the property from lot owners at the current market value, which was appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser.
The main landowner was Century Communities Corp., part of the Antonio family’s Century Properties Group Inc.
According to documents provided to the Inquirer, the site was formerly owned by Century Communities Corp., a real estate developer, which was offered a compensation offer of P394 million based on the appraised value of P3,600 per square meter.
The department said delays cropped up after the property owners refused its offer.
The DOTr and SMRT7, in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), filed an expropriation case on Nov. 15.
The writs of possession were issued in favor of the DOTr and SMRT7 on Nov. 22 and Nov. 25.
A writ of possession is a writ of execution employed to enforce a judgment to recover the possession of land. It commands the sheriff to enter the land and give its possession to the party entitled under the judgment.
The courts’ rulings ended the DOTr’s two-year struggle to acquire a depot site for MRT 7. The department and SMRT7 earlier attempted to secure a 33-ha lot in San Jose del Monte for the depot, but failed after a Malolos RTC effectively raised the zonal valuation there by nearly 900 percent. SMC held the MRT 7 groundbreaking ceremony in April 2016. –With a report from Krixia Subingsubing
https://business.inquirer.net/284242/mrt-7-on-track-for-partial-opening-in-2021
Courts clear the way for MRT 7 depot
Two Quezon City regional trial courts have issued the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 Inc. (SMRT7), writs of possession to allow them to formally begin construction work for the MRT 7 depot in Quezon City.
Apart from the issuance of the writs, the department said it has formally begun construction in the 20-hectare depot site along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro on Tuesday.
According to documents provided to the Inquirer, the site was previously owned by real estate developer Century Communities Corp., which offered to sell the property at P394 million based on the appraised value of P3,600 per square meter.
The writs of possession, issued by Branch 92 and 98 in Nov. 22 and 25, respectively, stemmed from the expropriation cases filed by the department and SMRT7 via the Office of the Solicitor General.
A writ of possession is a writ of execution commanding the court sheriff to enter the land and hand over its possession to the party—in this case, the government—entitled under the judgment.
The court rulings also end the DOTr’s two-year struggle to acquire a depot site for the much-delayed MRT 7, which would connect Bulacan to Quezon City in under 34 minutes.
The department and SMC-MRT7 earlier attempted to secure a 33-ha lot in San Jose del Monte for the depot, but failed after a Malolos court effectively raised the zonal valuation there by nearly 900 percent.
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said construction work for the much-delayed depot “signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project… It shows us that when the judiciary works hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development.”
The 23-km MRT 7 railway is currently 49 percent complete and is scheduled to begin partial operations in 2021. Once operational, it is expected to ferry between 300,000 to 850,000 passengers per day.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1195383/courts-clear-the-way-for-mrt-7-depot
Apart from the issuance of the writs, the department said it has formally begun construction in the 20-hectare depot site along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro on Tuesday.
According to documents provided to the Inquirer, the site was previously owned by real estate developer Century Communities Corp., which offered to sell the property at P394 million based on the appraised value of P3,600 per square meter.
The writs of possession, issued by Branch 92 and 98 in Nov. 22 and 25, respectively, stemmed from the expropriation cases filed by the department and SMRT7 via the Office of the Solicitor General.
A writ of possession is a writ of execution commanding the court sheriff to enter the land and hand over its possession to the party—in this case, the government—entitled under the judgment.
The court rulings also end the DOTr’s two-year struggle to acquire a depot site for the much-delayed MRT 7, which would connect Bulacan to Quezon City in under 34 minutes.
The department and SMC-MRT7 earlier attempted to secure a 33-ha lot in San Jose del Monte for the depot, but failed after a Malolos court effectively raised the zonal valuation there by nearly 900 percent.
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said construction work for the much-delayed depot “signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project… It shows us that when the judiciary works hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development.”
The 23-km MRT 7 railway is currently 49 percent complete and is scheduled to begin partial operations in 2021. Once operational, it is expected to ferry between 300,000 to 850,000 passengers per day.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1195383/courts-clear-the-way-for-mrt-7-depot
MRT-7 clears key hurdle
THE METRO RAIL TRANSIT (MRT) Line 7 — a flagship project of the government — has overcome a major right-of-way obstacle that had forced its proponent, San Miguel Corp.’s railway unit, to defer completion date by two years to 2022, when President Rodrigo R. Duterte ends his six-year term.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said two Quezon City courts issued orders for the government to take possession of a site eyed for the project’s planned depot in along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City, “which was found optimal for right-of-way implementability, asset constructibility, capital expenditure and operational expense efficiency, and operational reliability and maintainability.”
DoTr said it had offered to buy the targeted Quezon City depot site from owners led by “a major real estate development company at current market value, as appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser”.
The property owners refused DoTr’s offer, forcing the department and San Miguel unit SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc. (SMRT7) — which is undertaking the project — through the Office of the Solicitor General to file expropriation cases just last Nov. 15.
DoTR said Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade approved the new depot site last June 29.
It replaces the original depot site in San Jose del Monte city, Bulacan which remains subject to a legal case after the property owner questioned the expropriation at the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 11. The government had challenged at the Court of Appeals a higher valuation for acquisition of the site from its owner that was mandated by Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in February last year, compared to what it argued is allowed by law. SMRT7, which is undertaking the project, said that valuation discrepancy would increase its required deposit for the project nearly ninefold to P598.905 million from P67.105 million.
The case in Bulacan has prompted San Miguel to move the project’s completion date to 2022 from 2020 originally, with the “first portion” — the stretch between the North EDSA common station for MRT-7, Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, MRT-3 and the planned Metro Manila Subway and a station in Fairview — scheduled to open in 2021.
Transport Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Oliveros-Libiran said the Quezon City site for the planned 20-hectare depot replaces the one in Bulacan.
“Wala na ‘yung sa Bulacan. Na-stall ‘yun. May pending case ‘yun nasa Court of Appeals. Hindi kami puwedeng magsalita on the case (Forget the site in Bulacan. That plan is stalled. There is a pending case at the Court of Appeals. We cannot talk about that case),” Ms. Libiran said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Asked if the department still wants the site in Bulacan, Ms. Libiran replied: “Hindi na. Wala, kapag aantayin mo ‘yun it will take you forever. (No we will no longer pursue it. If you want for that case to be resolved, it will take you forever.)”
She acknowledged other pending right-of-way issues, but described them as “only minor” ones. “Ang alam ko meron pa, pero mga minor na lang mga ‘yun. Ang pinakamalaki kasi ang depot. (As far as I know, there are other right-of-way issues, but they are only minor ones. The biggest problem was the depot).”
DoTR said in its statement on Wednesday that “[w]ork on the depot formally started yesterday, 26 November 2019… after writs of possession issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 and 98 in favor of the Department of Transportation and its concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc., were successfully enforced by sheriffs of the two courts”, adding that the Quezon City courts issued the writs on Nov. 22 and 25 after “nearly two years” of court hearings on the matter.
San Miguel shares gained 0.63% to P160 apiece at closing on Wednesday, riding a general rise at the Philippine Stock Exchange. It was trading down 0.13% at P159.10 apiece as of 11:36 a.m. Thursday.
In a mobile phone message on Wednesday, Ms. Libiran said that the courts’ decision removes the “major stumbling block” to the project.
“This development will allow us to finally start works at the depot. The depot is an integral part of any rail station, so now that the location has finally been settled, we are confident that the project construction will now push through without major stumbling blocks,” Ms. Oliveros-Libiran said in her earlier reply.
DoTR’s statement quoted Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade as saying: “The start of depot works signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project. It shows us that when the judiciary work hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development to the Filipino people.”
The P62.7-billion MRT-7 project — which will run between North Avenue in Quezon City and San Jose del Monte city, Bulacan — has three components, namely: a 23-kilometer rail transit system with 13 stations; a six-lane highway between North Luzon Expressway and a planned Intermodal Transportation Terminal (ITT); and the ITT itself that can accommodate 200 buses at a time. Travel from one end to the other is estimated to take 34 minutes.
The Public-Private Partnership Center said on its Web site that the road component of the project will “divert northern provincial bus operations to San Jose Del Monte, thereby decongesting EDSA.”
Once operational, the MRT-7 is expected to accommodate an estimated 300,000-850,000 passengers a day, the DoTr said on Wednesday. The project was 49.15% complete as of October, DoTr said on Wednesday. — A. L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/mrt-7-clears-key-hurdle/
In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said two Quezon City courts issued orders for the government to take possession of a site eyed for the project’s planned depot in along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City, “which was found optimal for right-of-way implementability, asset constructibility, capital expenditure and operational expense efficiency, and operational reliability and maintainability.”
DoTr said it had offered to buy the targeted Quezon City depot site from owners led by “a major real estate development company at current market value, as appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser”.
The property owners refused DoTr’s offer, forcing the department and San Miguel unit SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc. (SMRT7) — which is undertaking the project — through the Office of the Solicitor General to file expropriation cases just last Nov. 15.
DoTR said Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade approved the new depot site last June 29.
It replaces the original depot site in San Jose del Monte city, Bulacan which remains subject to a legal case after the property owner questioned the expropriation at the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 11. The government had challenged at the Court of Appeals a higher valuation for acquisition of the site from its owner that was mandated by Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in February last year, compared to what it argued is allowed by law. SMRT7, which is undertaking the project, said that valuation discrepancy would increase its required deposit for the project nearly ninefold to P598.905 million from P67.105 million.
The case in Bulacan has prompted San Miguel to move the project’s completion date to 2022 from 2020 originally, with the “first portion” — the stretch between the North EDSA common station for MRT-7, Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, MRT-3 and the planned Metro Manila Subway and a station in Fairview — scheduled to open in 2021.
Transport Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Oliveros-Libiran said the Quezon City site for the planned 20-hectare depot replaces the one in Bulacan.
“Wala na ‘yung sa Bulacan. Na-stall ‘yun. May pending case ‘yun nasa Court of Appeals. Hindi kami puwedeng magsalita on the case (Forget the site in Bulacan. That plan is stalled. There is a pending case at the Court of Appeals. We cannot talk about that case),” Ms. Libiran said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Asked if the department still wants the site in Bulacan, Ms. Libiran replied: “Hindi na. Wala, kapag aantayin mo ‘yun it will take you forever. (No we will no longer pursue it. If you want for that case to be resolved, it will take you forever.)”
She acknowledged other pending right-of-way issues, but described them as “only minor” ones. “Ang alam ko meron pa, pero mga minor na lang mga ‘yun. Ang pinakamalaki kasi ang depot. (As far as I know, there are other right-of-way issues, but they are only minor ones. The biggest problem was the depot).”
DoTR said in its statement on Wednesday that “[w]ork on the depot formally started yesterday, 26 November 2019… after writs of possession issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 and 98 in favor of the Department of Transportation and its concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc., were successfully enforced by sheriffs of the two courts”, adding that the Quezon City courts issued the writs on Nov. 22 and 25 after “nearly two years” of court hearings on the matter.
San Miguel shares gained 0.63% to P160 apiece at closing on Wednesday, riding a general rise at the Philippine Stock Exchange. It was trading down 0.13% at P159.10 apiece as of 11:36 a.m. Thursday.
In a mobile phone message on Wednesday, Ms. Libiran said that the courts’ decision removes the “major stumbling block” to the project.
“This development will allow us to finally start works at the depot. The depot is an integral part of any rail station, so now that the location has finally been settled, we are confident that the project construction will now push through without major stumbling blocks,” Ms. Oliveros-Libiran said in her earlier reply.
DoTR’s statement quoted Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade as saying: “The start of depot works signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project. It shows us that when the judiciary work hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development to the Filipino people.”
The P62.7-billion MRT-7 project — which will run between North Avenue in Quezon City and San Jose del Monte city, Bulacan — has three components, namely: a 23-kilometer rail transit system with 13 stations; a six-lane highway between North Luzon Expressway and a planned Intermodal Transportation Terminal (ITT); and the ITT itself that can accommodate 200 buses at a time. Travel from one end to the other is estimated to take 34 minutes.
The Public-Private Partnership Center said on its Web site that the road component of the project will “divert northern provincial bus operations to San Jose Del Monte, thereby decongesting EDSA.”
Once operational, the MRT-7 is expected to accommodate an estimated 300,000-850,000 passengers a day, the DoTr said on Wednesday. The project was 49.15% complete as of October, DoTr said on Wednesday. — A. L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/mrt-7-clears-key-hurdle/
SMC, DOTr allowed to take over Quezon City property for MRT-7
Issues involving the acquisition of a property needed for the development of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) have been resolved in favor of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and conglomerate San Miguel Corp., increasing the project’s chances of commencing partial operations by 2021.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said works on the MRT-7’s 20-hectare depot formally started on Tuesday after nearly two years of court hearings and appeals to obtain the site.
The agency said writs of possession issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 and 98 in favor of the DOTr and its concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 Inc. (SMRT7) of San Miguel, were successfully enforced by sheriffs of the two courts.
The writs of possession in favor of the DOTr and SMRT7 were issued by the QC RTC Branches 92 and 98 on Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, respectively.
A writ of possession is a writ of execution employed to enforce a judgment to recover the possession of land, commanding the sheriff to enter the land and give its possession to the party entitled under the judgment.
The property owners previously refused the DOTr’s current market value offer, forcing the agency and SMRT7, in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General, to file expropriation cases last Nov. 15.
Pursuant to Republic Act 10752 or the new Right-of-Way Act, the DOTr said it offered to buy the depot site from its owners at current market value, as appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser.
“The start of depot works signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project. It shows us that when the judiciary work hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development to the Filipino people,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
The DOTr said the depot site along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City, was found optimal for “right-of-way implementability, asset constructibility, capital expenditure and operational expense efficiency, and operational reliability and maintainability.”
Tugade approved the depot site during his inspection last June.
The MRT-7 is a 23-kilometer railway with 13 stations that will connect San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan with North Avenue in Quezon City in about 34 minutes.
Once operational, the line is expected to ferry between 300,000 and 850,000 passengers per day, with room for capacity expansion to accommodate future increases in ridership.
It will be connected to LRT-1, MRT-3, and the Metro Manila Subway at the Common Station in North Avenue.
The DOTr said the MRT-7 project is 49 percent complete as of end-October and is scheduled to begin its partial operations running from the North EDSA common station to Fairview in 2021.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/11/28/1972337/smc-dotr-allowed-take-over-quezon-city-property-mrt-7
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said works on the MRT-7’s 20-hectare depot formally started on Tuesday after nearly two years of court hearings and appeals to obtain the site.
The agency said writs of possession issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 and 98 in favor of the DOTr and its concessionaire, SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 Inc. (SMRT7) of San Miguel, were successfully enforced by sheriffs of the two courts.
The writs of possession in favor of the DOTr and SMRT7 were issued by the QC RTC Branches 92 and 98 on Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, respectively.
A writ of possession is a writ of execution employed to enforce a judgment to recover the possession of land, commanding the sheriff to enter the land and give its possession to the party entitled under the judgment.
The property owners previously refused the DOTr’s current market value offer, forcing the agency and SMRT7, in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General, to file expropriation cases last Nov. 15.
Pursuant to Republic Act 10752 or the new Right-of-Way Act, the DOTr said it offered to buy the depot site from its owners at current market value, as appraised by a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-accredited independent property appraiser.
“The start of depot works signifies much more than a dot in the timeline of the project. It shows us that when the judiciary work hand in hand with the executive department, we are able to pick up speed in delivering infrastructure development to the Filipino people,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
The DOTr said the depot site along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City, was found optimal for “right-of-way implementability, asset constructibility, capital expenditure and operational expense efficiency, and operational reliability and maintainability.”
Tugade approved the depot site during his inspection last June.
The MRT-7 is a 23-kilometer railway with 13 stations that will connect San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan with North Avenue in Quezon City in about 34 minutes.
Once operational, the line is expected to ferry between 300,000 and 850,000 passengers per day, with room for capacity expansion to accommodate future increases in ridership.
It will be connected to LRT-1, MRT-3, and the Metro Manila Subway at the Common Station in North Avenue.
The DOTr said the MRT-7 project is 49 percent complete as of end-October and is scheduled to begin its partial operations running from the North EDSA common station to Fairview in 2021.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/11/28/1972337/smc-dotr-allowed-take-over-quezon-city-property-mrt-7
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