TERMS of reference (TOR) are now being undertaken for the study on the possible construction of an automated guideway transit (AGT) connecting Baguio City and Benguet.
The Department of Science and Technology –Cordillera (DOST-CAR) announced the TOR will include the Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay for the AGT or road train to congest traffic and provide other means of transportation at Baguio Central Business District to La Trinidad.
“BLISTT was not included in the terms of reference but the main purpose of the full-blown study will five municipalities,” said DOST-CAR senior science research specialist Noel Imbisan.
Imbisan added the agency has allotted P10 million for the conduct of a full-blown feasibility study, however, both proposals were denied twice by the central office in 2017 and 2018.
He added the DOST is seeking the help of other agencies for the conduct of the full-blown study which was already supported by National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government units in the province.
In a pre-feasibility study conducted by Traffic and Transport Planners Inc with an allocated budget of P1 million from the DOST-Cordillera, the setup of an AGT remain feasible.
Three investors have shown interest for the implementation of the project including San Miguel Holdings Corporation, however, the firm is seek the full-blown feasibility study.
The project covers the implementation of 5.2 kilometer railing system carried out by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC-DOST) seeks to follow the Balili River connecting La Trinidad and Baguio, and will reach up to central business district with stations in the provincial capitol, Kilometer 5, Kilometer 4 and Slaughter House in Magsaysay.
A total of P6.798 billion was proposed for the implementation of the project.