World's Biggest "Smart City" to Rise in Manila Bay

There have been previous attempts to restore Manila Bay to its former glory, but they never quite resulted in significant changes—at least, until now. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently started to enforce stricter measures to rehabilitate the area, resulting in orders calling for the closure of establishments like the Manila Zoo and a shut-down of facilities at some well-loved restaurants. The success of the cleanup may just be the first step in the development of the world's biggest "smart city," dubbed the New Manila Bay City of Pearl.



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 Talks of the proposed city's development began as early as 2017, and a memorandum of agreement to carry out the project was signed by Manila mayor Joseph Estrada and Pasay City mayor Antonino Calixto in November 2018. The proposal for New Manila Bay City of Pearl was developed by a consortium led by local company UAA Kinming Group Development Corp., in partnership with a global mix of partners from China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and other regions. It promises a city featuring a central business district, along with residential, retail, entertainment, medical, education, sports, and other facitlities. 
The 407-hectare project would, however, require some of Manila Bay's waters to be converted to land, which is why the reclamation project has drawn flak from green groups in the Philippines.
In a post on their Facebook page, the Earth Island Insitute Philippines warned of the negative impacts of reclamation projects. "Garbage pollution is not the only [thing] that [is] destroying the coast of the city. Reclamation, which is an irreversible project, poses a greater threat to the environment and the livelihood of thousands of [fisherfolk] living in the coastal communities of Mega Manila."
Mega Manila Subway

Description: This is aimed to be a 25-kilometer underground transportation system connecting major business districts and government centers. In its first year, it is expected to serve 370,000 passengers per day.
Estimated Budget: P227 billion
Implementing Agency: Department of Transportation (DoTr)
Estimated Start Date: March 1, 2015
Estimated Closure Date: 2024
Source of Funding: Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Mindanao Railway | media.philstar
Mindanao Railway | media.philstar
Description: This is a 105-kilometer segment of the larger 830-kilometer Mindanao Railway system. This railway network will connect major cities, seaports and economic zones. This segment of the railway network is expected to serve 100,000 passengers daily.
Estimated Budget: P31.5 billion
Implementing Agency: DoTr
Estimated Start Date: Oct. 28, 2015
Estimated Closure Date: 2021
Source of Funding: General Appropriations Act (GAA)

NLEX-SLEX Connector Road

by media.philstar.com
by media.philstar.com
Description: This involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a eight-kilometer, four-lane elevated expressway over the Philippine National Railway (PNR). It runs from C3 Road in Caloocan through Manila crossing Espana towards PUP in Sta. Mesa connecting to Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3.
Estimated Budget: P23.30 billion
Implementing Agency: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Estimated Start Date: Sept. 3, 2016
Estimated Closure Date: Sept. 30, 2020
Source of Funding: Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

Bonifacio Global City to Ortigas Road Link Project, Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge and Viaduct (Phase I & II-A)




Description: This project involves the construction of a four-lane bridge 9across Pasig River and a four-lane viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue toward the entrance to Bonifacio Global City.
Estimated Budget: P4.01 billion
Implementing Agency: DPWH
Estimated Start Date: April 3, 2017
Estimated Closure Date: March 31, 2020
Source of Funding: GAA

Philippine National Railways (PNR) North 1

Photo by media.philstar.com
Photo by media.philstar.com
Description: This is a 38-kilometer railway line that will connect Malolos, Bulacan to Metro Manila. This will reduce travel time between these areas from over one and a half hours to 35 minutes once this line is fully operational. This is expected to serve over 300,000 passengers daily in its first year of operation.
Estimated Budget: P105.3 billion
Implementing Agency: DoTr
Estimated Start Date: June 16, 2014
Estimated Closure Date: Dec. 1, 2021
Source of Funding: ODA

PNR North 2

PNR North 2 | media.philstar
PNR North 2 | media.philstar
Description: This is a 69.5-kilometer rail line extending PNR North 1, connecting Metro Manila to Clark International Airport (CIA) and Clark Green City. It will reduce travel time between Metro Manila and CIA to 56 minutes.
Estimated Budget: P150 billion
Implementing Agency: DoTr
Estimated Start Date: Nov. 30, 2016
Estimated Closure Date: N/A
Source of Funding: ODA


PNR South Commuter

Photo by media.philstar
Photo by media.philstar
Description: This is a 72-kilometer line connecting Manila and Los Banos, Laguna expected to serve over 300,000 commuters daily in its first year. This will make travel time between the two places less than one hour.
Estimated Budget: P134 billion
Implementing Agency: DoTr
Estimated Start Date: Dec. 31, 2014
Estimated Closure Date: N/A
Source of Funding: ODA