The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday signed an agreement with the local government of Pasay to fasttrack the implementation of the Integrated Pasay Monorail and EDSA Tramo Flyover Extension project.
In a virtual signing ceremony, Arthur Tugade, DOTr secretary, said he hopes the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) will push the approval of SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s unsolicited proposal for the project.
Details of the project have yet to be disclosed.
After the MOA signing between the DOTr and Pasay government and the issuance of the original proponent status to SM Prime, a steering committee shall be formed and implementing guidelines will be developed among Pasay City, DOTr, Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), Philippine Reclamation Authority and SM Prime, according to the terms of the MOA.
The MOA signing follows the joint presentation by Pasay City and SM Prime to the DOTr last September 7.
Under the MOA, the monorail component will be subject to DOTr’s applicable standards, specifications and requirements. Its design, construction, operation and maintenance is also subject to DOTr’s regulatory supervision and oversight.
The flyover component will be under DPWH and will be covered by a separate MOA between Pasay City and DPWH.
The project shall be at no financial cost to, and be without direct guarantee, subsidy or equity from the national government.
“Pasay City will transfer ownership over all components to the National Government after 50 years. And the DOTr shall issue an operating franchise, subject to compliance with DOTr’s applicable regulations,” the terms of the MOA stated.
The project will be integrated and will be interoperable with several modes of transport, including the Light Rail Transit line 1, Metro Rail Transit line 3, EDSA Busway and EDSA Greenways.
In a related development, DOTr led the inauguration of the upgraded General Santos Airport and Port of Makar in General Santos City.
With a larger passenger terminal building, General Santos Airport can now accommodate at least two million passengers annually. Prior to its expansion, the airport could only accommodate 800,000 passengers per year.
DOTr said Tugade will also inaugurate the newly installed navigational aids and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) administration building.
The airport’s navigational aids will help guide aircraft landing and takeoff, while the CAAP building will house various facilities to enable it to extend more efficient service to stakeholders.
DOTr and the Philippine Ports Authority are also completing a better-looking, well-kept and modern Port of Makar which involves development of the port operations building and other facilities.
The improved Port of Makar offers safer, comfortable and a more convenient port experience to passengers, while ensuring a faster turnaround for vessels, cargo trucks and other ancillary service providers.
Both transport development projects have generated job opportunities for over 400 locals combined, DOTr said.
