By Genevieve Candace Poquiz

As the Senate discussed strengthening rail transit in their session, neophyte Senator Robin Padilla suggested the use of cable cars to solve the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Photo Courtesy of Senate Prib/Miguel Gutierrez/AFP


This proposition was raised in the 8th Senate session on August 9 after Senator JV Ejercito stressed the importance of mass public transportation with trains.

"Meron pong isang nauuso din ngayon, na kung tawagin po nila ay ropeway. Ito po ang paggamit ng cable. Nais ko din po sana na maimungkahi po sa inyo na ito po ay bagay din sa Pilipinas, lalong lalo na sa Metro Manila dahil sa trapik," Padilla addressed Ejercito.

The senator also emphasized the need to address traffic problems with good transportation, crediting Ejercito for calling for increased use of trains, particularly with the country’s geographical setting.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri welcomed Padilla’s proposal, citing the use of cable cars in South American and Latin American countries, specifically Colombia and Peru.

"Dahil sa dami na pong bahay na natayo, masyadong dense yung favelas. Ang tawag dun, favelas, Colombia. Cable car na po. Above the houses na po yung kanilang mass transport. Kaya I'm very happy na binanggit po ni Senator Padilla po yan,” Zubiri said.

The Department of Transportation has been eyeing the implementation of a cable car system since 2016, and a feasibility study was conducted in 2018 with funding from the French government.

In 2019, transportation officials shared their plans to build a cable car line from LRT-2 Santolan station in Marikina City to the Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

However, there have been no updates regarding the project since French Ambassador to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz stated the willingness of France to assist with the installation of the country’s first urban cable car system in June 2021.


Edited by Khezyll Galvan