By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday assured that the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) will begin operation by 2027, before the end of the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In an interview during the inspection of the MRT-7 Depot in Quirino Highway, Quezon City, Dizon said the MRT-7 has been delayed for over a decade and will finally be completed in line with the President’s order to accelerate the project’s timeline.
“Kampanteng-kampante na ako na matatapos ang MRT-7 bago matapos ang termino ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Kaya by 2027, masasakyan na ito ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
He added that the construction of the Common Station project will also need to be accelerated to allow commuters to transfer between MRT-7, MRT Line 3, and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1).
Once completed, he said the MRT-7 will shorten travel time from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan, in addition to alleviating vehicular traffic along Commonwealth Avenue.
“Ang laking bagay sa mga kababayan natin ito, ’yong oras na masi-save mo. Hindi na sila kailangan gumising ng madaling araw at ’yong trapik na mababawas sa Commonwealth napakalaki,” he said.
He commended the San Miguel Corporation—the project contractor and operator—for creating a “best practice” that can be emulated by other rail projects of the DOTr.
“Nakita natin napakalawak ng tren. Itong railway tracks natin, wala ng overhead electrical lines. Saka ang mga istasyon, maluluwag, PWD (person with disability)-friendly. Lahat may escalator, may elevator,” he said.
To date, the MRT-7 has an overall progress rate of 83.08% and will serve an estimated 600,000 passengers per day during its first year of operation.
