San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan — Administration-backed senatorial candidates of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (APBP) are aiming for an expanded mass transit system in the country if elected.

In a pre-rally press conference, the administration's candidates underscored the importance of mass transportation infrastructure in boosting productivity, economic activity, and job creation.

Citing the Metro Rail Transit-Line 7 (MRT-7), which runs from Metro Manila to the province of Bulacan, Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar stressed the importance of interconnectivity, especially with the nearing completion of the train.

“This is a good example of a city development that is prepped on economic development. So, what we want here is to prepare the people of [SJDM] for more jobs, better jobs, better infrastructure, and a very good housing program,” she added.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino expressed that SJDM should not just be a commuter hub but an integral part of the Mega Manila economy.

“[SJDM] will play a big role because it will not just be a bedroom community for Metro Manila. It would be a de facto member of the Mega Manila community. We have to prepare for that,” he said. 

He also proposed amending Executive Order No. 325, which expands Regional Development Councils (RDCs), ensuring that cities like SJDM, Bacoor, Cavite, and San Pedro, Laguna, are included in the transport planning of Metro Manila.

“I would endeavor to amend the existing Executive Order 325 which calls for the creation of Regional Development Councils. Modesty aside, when I was MMDA chairman, I was also the chairman of RDC-NCR (National Capital Region) and that was the time when the MRT-7 was signed,” he noted.

Tolentino added that once the MRT-7 is completed, it would ease congestion along the traffic-heavy Commonwealth Avenue and North Luzon Expressway, as well as serve as a center for growth.

On the other hand, former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos argued that additional roads will not solve traffic congestion, noting that mass public transportation must be prioritized.

“I always said back in the day that even if we had an odd-even coding [scheme], even if we had more bridges or more roads, there would still be more cars, as car production speeds up,” he said.

He also criticized poor urban planning that failed to integrate railway systems into key infrastructure projects like the Manila Bay reclamation.

“It's a shame that trains weren't included in the plans before the reclamation area was approved as a provision would have been made for trains to pass through. Just imagine Roxas Boulevard, who have a problem every night with big 10-wheelers. Imagine if you had railways from the port, they would be placed in the reclaimed area, it would have been a big deal if it had been planned well,” he said.

Once finished, the MRT-7 will be able to ferry 850,000 passengers daily from MRT-3 and LRT-1, forming a metro-wide transit system. It is expected to be fully operational by 2025.