MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is set to present the master plan for proposed projects in the airports and railways sector, including the country’s first subway.



Cosette Canilao, head of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center, said among the projects to be presented to drum up interest from stakeholders is the Mass Transit System Loop, a 12-kilometer underground rail that will connect Bonifacio Global City, Makati Central Business District, and the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.



Transportation Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya earlier said a feasibility study on the subway line will be financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).



JICA has also been tapped to help government complete the feasibility study for a commuter rail that will run from Malolos, Bulacan to Calamba, Laguna.



Canilao said the DOTC will also present the master plan for the proposed 900-kilometer Integrated Luzon Railway (ILR) worth $5 billion that will run from Cagayan in Isabela down to Sorsogon in Bicol.



CPCS Transcom Ltd. of Canada is set to complete the feasibility study for the proposed ILR project.



DOTC will also present the proposed extension of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) all the way to Dasmarinas, Cavite on top of the proposed P65 billion LRT1 Cavite extension project from Baclaran in Paranaque to Niog in Bacoor, Cavite, and the proposed operation and maintenance of the LRT-2 that is being extended all the way to Pasig City from Santolan for P9 billion.



"We want to get the feedback of the investors," Canilao said.



Canilao said the DOTC forum, entitled "Invest Transpo PH," will target infrastructure and construction companies, airport operators, rail operators, and financing companies and aims to highlight investment opportunities under the PPP program of the Aquino administration.



“The DOTC will conduct a market sounding for the rest of the airports and some of the rail projects that they are doing right now," she said.



The forum will be held on Thursday, March 20.



The railway and mass transport projects are seen to help address the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.



A JICA study showed that at least 200 kilometers of railroad and over 100,000 kilometers in road network are needed to address the congested metropolis.