The long and short of it

THE Daang EDSA Consortium (DEC) – a giant joint venture among heavyweight contractors EEI, DMWAI, IPM, and Sta Clara – has proposed to build a subway as solution to our stop-go traffic.

Delfin Wenceslao Jr.of DMWAI and founding chairman of the Katipunan ng Mga Mamayan ng Bagong Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. (KMBPF, Inc), explained the advantage of the unsolicited proposal for Metro Manila.

• The inspired advantage of DEC’s proposal over other tenders is that its subway route traces EDSA, thereby solving the question of right-of-way for the proponents.

• The project will take 5 to 7 years, not counting possible bureaucratic inertia. (That is what we say, in parochial Pilipino, a solution in the long of time – translation: Sa katagalan ng panahon).

Meanwhile, Manila’s maddening traffic goes from bad to bedlam. It will take more than a cavalry charge to solve the tangled maze. Have patience till the last… or do your calvary.

While the government holds its predecessor responsible for the years of neglect, there is nothing to be gained in finger-pointing. Because, by definition, the problem is inherited by the successor, it belongs to the incumbent.

We cannot wait for the next administration to heap blame on the Duterte government.

Just as Bernardo Carpio slew the ogre, it is now for the Duterte government to rectify the neglect of the Aquino administration.

If PDu30 and DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade solve this Gordian traffic knot, they can be our present-day heroes.

*** Now, for the short of it: Before the year 2017 ended, Ding Wenceslao said that his foundation, the KMBPI, a DSWD-registered NGO providing Rice for the Hungry Poor, also submitted to the President a complimentary proposal (cc: Chairman Danilo Lim of MMDA and Secretary Lawrence Go Special Assistant to the President) which can give salutary relief to our harried Metropolitan Manila commuters.

PROPOSAL for the EDSA SHUTTLE. The skinny:

The EDSA Shuttle Project will be implemented by Daang EDSA Corporation (DEC) with capitalization at 1100 million (1100 M).

A. Lease to manage two inner lanes of EDSA running in both directions. Semi-permanent barriers to segregate EDSA shuttle Lane from regular vehicular traffic.

B. DEC pays 11 million (11M) per month to MMDA + 20% of the profit. (11M x 12 months x 5 years = 160M + 20% of profit);

C. Vehicles on EDSA Shuttle Lane run at 60 kph. Annual subscription at 110,000 per vehicle. Daang EDSA Corporation will: i. Install CTV to ensure that the EDSA Shuttle runs fast and efficient.

ii. Provide maintenance service in all the four lanes.

iii. All major repairs for the account of MMDA.

iv. Maintenance work will be undertaken from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning.

v. Ten percent of net income of the EDSA Shuttle Project will go to supply rice for the KMBPFI beneficiaries.

This unsolicited BOT proposal is subject to challenge.

***

Instead of cursing the darkness, Ding Wenceslao is one among those who choose to light a candle.

***

HURRY UP AND WAIT. The DEC tender was received by Malacanang on 4 December and the proponents await response as dictated by RA 6713 Section 5(a), which enjoins response within 15 working days. FEEDBACK: