MANILA – President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III stressed on Wednesday that all projects implemented under his watch are carefully studied, with some through the help of the private sector, to ensure maximum benefit to the public and prevent problems in the future.
In his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, the President said the government has the responsibility to ensure that the public’s welfare is prioritized.
“Ang masisiguro ko po sa inyo: Anumang kasunduang pinapasok ng inyong gobyerno ay pinanday ayon sa ating batayang prinsipyo: Kung ano ang tama at makatwiran, iyon ang gagawin natin; kung saan may pinakamalaking pakinabang sa ating mga Boss, doon po tayo. Gaya ng lagi, malaya ang sinumang siyasatin ang lahat ng detalye ng kontrata,” he said.
In the case of MRT-7, which was conceptualized in the previous administrations, the President thanked the private sector for believing in the government.
“Patunay lang po ito sa kompiyansa nila sa isang gobyernong hindi sila lalamangan, at nakatutok lang sa kapakanan ng mas nakakarami,” he said.
MRT-7 is a Php69.3-billion, 23-kilometer mass rail system that will have 14 stations from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan. It will pass through Commonwealth Avenue and Quirino Highway in Novaliches and will run starting 2020.
It is seen to initially cater to about 350,000 daily to as much as 800,000 once it is upgraded.
President Aquino said the rail system is expected to lessen the commute from San Jose del Monte to Makati City by two-and-a-half hours from the current three-and-a-half-hours to just an hour.
Aside from the rail system, an intermodal transport terminal (ITT) in San Jose del Monte will be constructed as part of the project, to further help people have easier commute from Bulacan to other areas.
Also included is the construction of a 22-kilometer, six-lane road from the Bocaue, Bulacan interchange of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to the ITT.
The President said he will be a private individual probably based in Tarlac once this project is finished and might be among the people using it.
“Sa kahabaan po ng biyaheng ito, magninilay ako sa napakalayong narating na ng atin pong bansa. Babalikan ko po ang araw na ito, sa kabanata ng Daang Matuwid na pinagtulungan nating itala. At marahil, sa araw na iyon, bibigkasin kong muli ang kaisipang ibinabahagi ko sa inyo ngayon: Talagang walang imposible sa Pilipinong disente, tapat, at tunay na nagkakaisa,” he added.