Del Mar files House bill for subway construction

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City north district Representative Raul del Mar has filed a bill for the construction of the Subway Tunnel Transit Network in the city.

Del Mar filed House Bill No. 5141 following his proposal to Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson for the construction of a subway to solve the worsening traffic problem in the city.

"While we look to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to alleviate the traffic problem in Cebu City in the not too distant future, additional measures need to be done to solve the problem considering Cebu City's expected growth," del Mar said.

Del Mar said that the Subway Tunnel Transport Network System is capable of handling big volume of commuters in the coming years. The project prioritizes areas such as Central Business Districts.

"The full potential for the subway tunnel network to solve not only traffic problem but also the flooding problem shall be explored," del Mar said.

He proposed that the traffic problem would be addressed by a tunnel for the mass transit railway system and a second tunnel for a vehicle road system while the flooding problem would be resolved by a tunnel for a water catchment and waterway to the rivers and sea.

The bill also proposes the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) the inclusion of the subway tunnel in the projects under the World Bank-assisted Philippine Transport Infrastructure Development Framework Plan and in the 2011-2016 Public Investment Program (PIP) currently being updated by NEDA.

The DPWH shall be responsible for the construction of the Subway Tunnel Transit Network, including the feasibility and detailed engineering studies and acquisition of sites.

Del Mar earlier said that Singson assured him of his support on the project.

Del Mar said an underpass is more viable since only few residents would be affected or displaced. He admitted, though, that addressing Cebu's traffic woes requires not just one approach.— (FREEMAN)