His Excellency (guest); Secretary Arturo T. Enrile; Administrator Manuel P. Clasara, officials of the DOTC and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA); representatives of EOCF; Local Government officials; our friends from the private sector and fellow workers in government; a very pleasant good morning to you all.
Today, we reach a new and significant milestone in our efforts to pole-vault toward Philippines 2000, namely the launching of the Metro Manila Strategic Mass Rail Transit Development (Line 2) Project, better known as the MRT Line 2 Project.
But first, let me thank the Government of Japan for providing a 12.8-billion-peso soft loan under the Tokyo Special and 21st Yen Credit Packages. The Japanese government has also strongly expressed its intention of providing further assistance under the 23rd Yen Credit Package.
A TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
I am very pleased that the MRT Line 2 Project is finally under way. This is a strategic project because its implementation will lead to positive and significant changes in our urban environment. It will provide a reliable, safe, environment-friendly and pleasant means of transport daily to about a million passengers when it becomes operational.
This project will enhance the quality of life of city residents and other commuters. This efficient and comfortable mass transit service will save on traveling time, minimize frustration, soothe frayed nerves and help ensure that people arrive at their place of work more enthusiastic, clean and fresh. Productivity will benefit immensely as a result. After work, people will require less time to reach home and thus spend more quality time with their families.
One of the main goals of the Ramos Administration has been to increase productivity and we have not wavered in our resolve. To achieve this goal, it is imperative to put in place efficient and effective transportation systems, of which the MRT Line 2 Project is an example.
The Light Rail Transport Authority (LRTA) has the responsibility to ensure that its line operates at full capacity. It must also exert all effort to expand, integrate and thoroughly modernize the network. A well-integrated and modernized network will not only alleviate traffic congestion; it will also enable us to maximize benefits from such a system.
May I now invite and challenge the contractors, and all those are involved in this project, especially the mayors of affected cities and municipalities—Mayor Eusebio, Mayor Fernando, Mayor Mathay, Mayor Estrada and Mayor Alfredo Lim—to give their unwavering and wholehearted support to the MRT Line 2 Project. Let us strive to guarantee high-quality project implementation through cooperation, coordination and commitment.
This project will make a significant contribution to the quality of life of city residents and to the progress of our country as a whole. It will help keep us on track as we move steadily toward our developmental goals of the year 2000.
Thank you and good day.