A P6.3-BILLION OUTLAY, part of a stimulus spending plan aimed at propping up economic growth, has been set by the government to rehabilitate and upgrade Metro Manila’s light railways.
The Aquino administration, Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said in a statement, will fully cover the costs of improving the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3.
“For the first time, we are subsidizing the rehabilitation of these railway systems to ensure the efficiency of operations and safety of passengers,” Mr. Abad said.
Previous maintenance work for the 30-year old LRT-1, 10-year old LRT-2 and the 12-year old MRT-3 were charged against the lines’ revenues, he pointed out.
The MRT-3, which runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Ave. in Pasay, will receive P4.5 billion for the procurement of 26 additional coaches and the enhancement of its signalling system.
This is expected to increase peak loading capacity to 37,824 passengers from the current 23,640, a limit that is often breached, causing disruptions in service and train deterioration. At present, the line transports about 500,000 passengers during weekdays.
The LRT-1, which runs from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Baclaran in Pasay, will get P1.33 billion for the body repair of all 63 train cars as well as spare parts for four cars. The line’s 18 stations and basic facilities will also be improved.
The LRT-2, which provides transport services from Recto in Manila to Santolan in Pasig, will receive P539.58 million. The budget will cover the replacement of spare parts for four out of 18 trains and the repair/replacement of all 152 air-conditioning units in the 18 trains. New train and station monitoring equipment will also be purchased, while facilities and communication systems in line’s 11 stations will be improved.
“Our government wants to ensure value-for-money for the fares being paid by passengers, through comfortable and safe rail travel,” Mr. Abad said.
The government recently greenlighted a P72-billion stimulus spending package in an effort to boost public expenditures. Government underspending has been largely blamed for a first semester growth slowdown.
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By: D. C. J. Jiao
Source: Business World, October 24, 2011
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