Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed to pursue the development of a mass transport system that will connect the towns and cities of the planned Pampanga Megalopolis.
Arroyo said the mass transport system will be crucial in the development of the megalopolis as the next growth center in Southeast Asia.
She earlier tapped renowned urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. to draft the Pampanga development plan that would involve building new roads, a mass transit system and regional transport networks.
“A mass transport system will enhance mobility and accessibility in the province and support its green and sustainable development,” said Arroyo, who served as president from 2001 to 2010 and representative of Pampanga’s Second District from 2010 to 2019.
She said the megalopolis project would make Pampanga the gateway to Asia through the development of cluster cities focusing on specific areas and technologies. As part of the megalopolis project, the mass transport system will ensure an efficient, reliable and sustainable transportation system in and around Pampanga, according to Arroyo.
The proposal is to develop a bus rapid transit system that will decongest MacArthur Highway, the main road connecting the major towns and cities in the province.
Arroyo wants the BRT system to run on clean technology, in line with the vision of Pampanga megalopolis that embraces green urbanism to reduce carbon footprints. The system is expected to be more inclusive, efficient and reliable than the existing public modes of transport.
She said this will also attract more businesses and investments in Pampanga province, with the end goal of decongesting Metro Manila.
Under the plan, the project will require investments of P630 million to develop the terminals, facilities and equipment for the BRT system.
A feasibility study shows that once completed, the BRT system on the MacArthur line is expected to serve 71,921 passengers a day by 2027. It will operate from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a 38.6-kilometer route between Apalit town and Mabalacat City, traversing San Fernando City, Angeles City, Mabalacat City and Sto. Tomas town. Travel time is expected to be reduced from the current 125 minutes to 85.8 minutes on average travel speed of 27 kilometers per hour.
“More importantly, this will ease the traffic situation along the busy MacArthur Highway and support mobility between growth clusters in the province,” said Arroyo.
The system will have an initial fleet of 30 buses carrying 100 passengers each by 2027. Five buses will be added to the fleet each year to cope with rising passenger demand.
The proposed investments in the project include P300 million for the buses, P16 million for bus stations, P129 million for 4,160-square-meter garage facilities, P85 million for other equipment and facilities and other fees and licensing costs.
Arroyo, the incumbent presidential adviser for Clark flagship projects who seeks to return to Congress representing Pampanga’s Second District, said the mass transport system will be supported by other infrastructure projects such as the Pampanga Circumferential Road that will have existing and new roads as components.
Arroyo, however, said she wants these new roads to be “walkable” and “bikeable” to protect the environment and improve the quality of life among residents, workers and tourists.
Pampanga Megalopolis refers to the former president’s vision to develop the 19 municipalities and three cities in Pampanga into the next center of growth in Luzon as a way of decongesting Metro Manila and providing the people with cleaner and more progressive environment. Arroyo said that once completed, Pampanga Megalopolis will become a jewel in Southeast Asia.
The first phase of the megalopolis project is the Pampanga Golden Triangle which consists of Angeles City, San Fernando City, Mabalacat City, Porac, Lubao, Floridablanca and Guagua. These cities and municipalities represent fast-growing and high-density settlements in the province. The triangle also covers Clark Freeport Zone and Clark International Airport.