DAVAO CITY — The Udenna Group of Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy has requested the Davao City council to endorse its unsolicited proposal to set up a P30-billion monorail project, which has already been granted Original Proponent Status by the Department of Transportation.
The endorsement will be submitted to the city government, Davao Regional Development Council, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) will review and give final approval to the proposal.
Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado, chair of the committee on public works and vice-chair of the committee on transportation, said he sees the monorail complementing the city’s High Priority Bus System, which is expected to be implemented by next year.
Mr. Zozobrado, in an interview before Tuesday’s regular council session, said the monorail could help address traffic congestion, considered one of the most pressing problems in the city.
“This (traffic) is one problem that has crossed the social and economic divide. Everyone, at one time or another, is bound to experience the traffic congestion in the city,” he said.
Udenna’s proposed monorail will span 13 kilometers from Bangkal in the Poblacion District to SM Lanang with 16 stations.
The company will develop, finance, operate, and maintain the transport system under a 35-year concession period, after which it will be turned over to the government.
Engineer Manuel T. Jamonir, business development manager of Udenna Infra, said the monorail will be elevated along the center line of existing roads.
“We are now complying with the requirements for NEDA-ICC, including securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate, conducting a Right-of-Way Allocation and Resettlement Action Plan, and obtaining the necessary endorsements from the city and Regional Development Council,” he said.
The monorail will have an initial capacity of 2,200 passengers per direction per hour, and could be expanded from 6,000 to 30,000.
Mr. Jamonir said if they are awarded the contract, construction could start by 2020 and completion will be in three to four years. — Carmencita A. Carillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR