The Integrated Pasay Monorail will connect EDSA-Taft to Diokno Boulevard

The Philippines has never been known for being a leader in railway infrastructure. Neighboring countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have all held the distinction of building some of the most advanced railway systems in the world. We seem to prefer using our cars in highways and tollways. That said, recent and ongoing projects may lead one to believe the opposite is true.

From the LRT-1 extension to the MRT-7 project, things have been chugging along at a steady pace. Let's also not forget the Makati Intra-city Subway and the Metro Manila Subway, both of which we could see before the end of the decade.

Now, another project has been added to the pipeline. Residents and workers in Pasay may soon be enjoying the Integrated Pasay Monorail, a 1.89-kilometer project that will link the intersection of EDSA and Taft Avenue to Diokno Boulevard. 

EDSA and Taft Avenue are two of the busiest passages in Metro Manila, serviced by the MRT-3 and LRT-1. The new Pasay Monorail will reportedly be interconnected and interoperable with existing railway systems. Upon completion, travel time in the area could shorten significantly. Congestion may also decrease around EDSA and Taft Avenue.

Construction of the monorail could also bring an influx of jobs to Pasay's central business district (CBD). The Pasay CBD has been developing quickly in recent years, with new commercial and residential properties popping up left and right. 

The Integrated Pasay Monorail is a joint venture between the Department of Transportation (DOTr), SM Prime Holdings, and the Pasay City Government. Each of the three parties has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to solidify the project. The MOA signing was attended by officials from the DOTr, SM, and Pasay City.

Apart from the new monorail system, the MOA included a provision for building the EDSA–Tramo Flyover Extension Project. Details on the project are unavailable at this time, however.