Published on 16 August 2012 [ manilatimes.net ]
Written by LOVELYN QUINTOS
The Bases Conversion and Development
Authority (BCDA) is looking to build a monorail system that would connect the
Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to Bonifacio Global City and Ninoy Aquino
International Airport 3 (NAIA 3), announcing on Tuesday that the Japanese
government has approved the grant to fund the pre-feasibility study of the
project.
BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer
Arnel Paciano Casanova, in a statement, said that the government of Japan
through the Ministry of Economy, Transportation and Industry (METI) has issued
a certificate of acceptance signed by agency director for financial cooperation
Masashi Iwanaga, approving the grant to fund a pre-feasibility study on the
BCDA monorail project.
“We welcome this development as good
news and a step forward in realizing the monorail project that would serve
millions of commuters in Metro Manila,” he added.
From the Gudalupe Station of MRT-3,
Casanova said that the proposed 12.56-kilometer monorail will enter Bonifacio
Global City via the north gate and end at NAIA 3 terminal building. BCDA eyes
the completion of the monorail project by 2016.
“The BCDA Monorail will provide a
fast, efficient and safe public transport service that will connect BGC and
other premier mix-use districts such as McKinley Hill, including North
Bonifacio and Bonifacio South, Newport City and NAIA-3 from the existing Manila
Rail Transit Line 3 in Guadalupe, Makati City thereby providing commuters fast
and easy access to these new and future premier mix-use districts being
developed by BCDA,” Casanova said.
BCDA Chairman Felicito Payumo also
stressed the need for a monorail connecting to the MRT and Light Rail Transit
Line 1, and NAIA-3, saying that Metro Manila has a commuter traffic of 13
million.
Eduardo Lena, BCDA program director
for special projects, said that the pre-feasibility study will determine if a
“full-blown” feasibility study should push through. He said that the
consultants who will conduct the pre-feasibility study will likely come from
Japan since the grant will be funded by the Japanese government.
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