Makati subway project halt on court ruling on Taguig
By Nidz Godino
"Also, alignment of subway will no longer be feasible," I Phillipine Infradev Holdings (PIH) in disclosure to Philippine Stock Exchange Makati City subway system is currently in peril after Supreme Court recently ruled some areas previously within said city's jurisdiction now lies within Taguig City.
PIH behind railway's development, said ruling will hit depot and some of stations. Project is joint venture between Infradev and Makati.
"We will advise PSE and Securities & Exchange Commission for any further material developments on the matter."
Letter was already sent to local government of Makati to discuss changes and how to best proceed with project.
To help commuters, $3.7-billion Makati Intra-City Subway project started in December 2018.
Makati LGU earlier projected fully functional this year. Included in system are 10 underground stations in areas such as Ayala Triangle, Makati City Hall and University of Makati.
Taguig City and Makati City have long been fighting over administration of various areas such as Bonifacio Global City.
Department of Education is currently taking over 14 "embo" schools that used to be within jurisdiction of Makati, also result of said territorial dispute.
Last August, Makati City Mayor Abbby Binay said there is a possibility that she may run for Taguig's highest post after losing 10 barangays to Taguig.
Transport advocacy network The Passenger Forum pleaded to both Infradev and Makati LGU to solve new issues hounding the project calling for possible collaboration between two cities if needed.
"We hope they will find workable solution as this is very important mass transportation project and about 700,000 passengers are expected to ride and benefit from this subway on daily basis, commuters are really looking forward to having subway in the heart of busiest district in the country…if this requires including Taguig into project, so be it…if this necessitates another JVA with Taguig, Infradev should do it and do it fast," said TPF convener Primo Morillo.
TPF also said negotiating with Taguig opens possibilitty of expansion deeper into Taguig, especially into BGC.
According to Morillo, it may even push daily ridership closer to million commuters, making it more efficient and helpful in solving Metro Manila's traffic woes.
Should Makati and Taguig fail to cooperate, TPF proposed Department of Transportation or Metro Manila Development Authority should take over on the side of government.
"We appeal to the good mayors of Makati and Taguig to cooperate for the sake of commuting public and the nation, this is another way to save project and it could even make project better as it can go beyond boundaries of those two cities, " TPF's convener said.
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