ONE of the campaign founders of President Rodrigo Duterte in the May 2010 presidential race wanted a "legacy project for Davao" that would address the perennial traffic problem of the city.
The Udenna Corporation, a company owned by business tycoon Dennis Uy, hopes to start the construction of the country's first monorail project in Davao City next year.
At the Mindanao Business Forum held at the Seda Abreeza Hotel, Udenna Infrastructure Corporation assistant vice-president Eng. Manuel T. Jamonir said the intra-city urban rail transport system called "Davao City Mover Project" would provide passengers a comfortable daily commute. They plan to start the construction next year.
He said the proposed 13-kilometer monorail, a straddle-type monorail pegged at a nominal cost of P80 billion.
This would start from Bangkal, passing along McArthur Highway all the way to Bankerohan then right to A. Pichon Street, left to C.M. Recto Street and then to SM Lanang Premier. The project would have 15 stations, serving an estimated number of 100,000 passengers once completed three to four years from the start of construction.
Davao would be the first city in the country to have a monorail as an urban mass transit system. This is similar to the transit systems in Asia, US, and Europe. The company is waiting for the approval from the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) before the "Swiss Challenge." This allows other groups to submit counter proposals to match Udenna's. But as holder of the original proponent status (OPS), Udenna would have the right to match counter proposal of any "challenger."
This news release attracted me and chose to have it in my column today because we all know how traffic, lack of rides, and inconveniences in our daily commuting going to our place of work.
One last item, which that worthwhile to know, is the passage of the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Law. Everyone, especially parents welcome this for obvious reasons. This Republic Act 11229 should have been enacted long ago. Obvious provisions as the following must be followed under pain of being apprehended for the offense. Basically, it is common sense and we are surprised that offenses are committed. Such laws as the following should be followed. Ignorance of the law excuses no one. No kids must seat on the front seat of a car. No kids may ride in tandem with parents in motorcycles like riding in front of the driver saddled to him or riding at the back holding on to the waist of the parent. Added to this may be the rule leaving kids alone in a parked car.