Korean envoy hopes Davao mass transit to push through
June 03, 2016 at 08:01am
Jaeshin bared this in a media interview at the Presidential guesthouse inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) depot in Panacan, Davao City on Thursday, June 2.
"One of our Korean companes is involved in this monorail project, I do hope that everything will be developed further," he said.
Jaeshin, however, clarified that he and President-elect Rodrigo Duterte did not discuss the project thoroughly but ensured that the partnership of both countries and Korea's assistance to the country will be strengthened.
Meanwhile, Davao City's 28-kilometer monorail mass transportation system project was put “on a shelf”, an official said.
Davao City Investment Promotions officer, Ivan C. Cortez said that developed after KEC, the project proponent, moved to change the proposal from zero to 60 percent cost from the Philippine national government.
“The proposal of having an LRT by the Koreans, we somehow shelved the project because they changed the proposal. Initially they proposed that it will built at no cost to the city and national government then after they conducted a study and when they submitted the proposal (latest) to the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) Board they already required 60 percent share from the National Government,” he said.
Based on the project description, the project’s total investment cost between 2016 up to 2020 is estimated at P40 billion including land acquisition and contingency.
Earlier this year, DCIPC endorsed the project to the National Government through the PPP Center as all the railway projects are to be implemented by the government.
“In principle it has to be shelved. It is an unsolicited project and it should be at no cost to the city but if it’s a priority by the city government then it must be willing to shell out with the equity. It could be in a form of land or capital,” Cortez added.
But he was quick to add that with the incoming administration being vocal in materializing a railway project, the project might be reconsidered.
"The PPP Center will not entertain unsolicited projects, unless its priority by the administration, the outgoing administration, they do not have any plans of railway systems for Mindanao," he said.
The monorail mass transportation system is part of the wish list by the local government for infrastructure developments along with the coastal roads and reclamation project.
Under the project description, the monorail project will traverse from Toril to the Davao International Airport. Passengers proposed fare is P15 for the first three kilometers and an additional of P1.50 per succeeding kilometer.
Last Saturday night, March 28, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte mentioned that in his plan of a railway system, he is eyeing China as partner of the project.
Source: sunstar.com.ph
« Megaworld expands office portfolio in Davao Brisk sales for Suntrust's Davao project »
