Group 1: Traffic Congestion and Economic Impact - Manila experiences severe traffic congestion, with average one-way commuting times exceeding 50 minutes, and some commuters taking over two hours [2] - The traffic congestion in Metro Manila results in an estimated daily economic loss of 3.5 billion Philippine pesos (approximately 61 million USD), which could rise to 5.4 billion pesos (94 million USD) by 2035 if no interventions are made [2][3] - The inefficiency of the transportation system is recognized as the primary obstacle to national productivity and investment attraction by the National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines [2] Group 2: Infrastructure Development Plans - The previous government proposed a "Build, Build, Build" initiative, committing at least 5% of GDP annually to infrastructure, while the current administration under Marcos aims to invest 9.5 trillion pesos (approximately 165.6 billion USD) in various infrastructure projects [3] - Major projects like the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway are intended to transform the city, but many have faced delays and complications [3][4] Group 3: Challenges in Project Execution - The Makati subway project, initiated in 2018, has faced significant legal and administrative hurdles, leading to its current status of being stalled with no construction progress [4][5] - The Philippine Infrastructure Development Holding Company withdrew from the joint venture with the Makati city government, citing economic and operational infeasibility, effectively marking the project's end [5][6] - Legal disputes over land ownership and jurisdiction have severely impacted the project's viability, with the Supreme Court ruling that key land areas belong to Taguig City, not Makati [4][6] Group 4: Systemic Issues in Governance - The fragmented governance structure in the Philippines, characterized by a lack of coordination among the 16 independent cities in Metro Manila, complicates infrastructure development [7][8] - Local governments heavily rely on central government funding, limiting their financial independence and ability to support large-scale infrastructure projects [8][9] - The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism, while intended to facilitate infrastructure development, suffers from structural weaknesses, including unclear risk allocation and insufficient government oversight [8][9] Group 5: Cultural and Institutional Barriers - The lack of long-term governance stability and cross-government collaboration has led to frequent project disruptions, with political changes often derailing well-planned initiatives [11][12] - The historical context of colonialism has contributed to foundational flaws in the transportation system, complicating efforts to modernize infrastructure [13] - The need for "invisible infrastructure," such as effective governance and institutional frameworks, is critical for overcoming the systemic challenges faced by the country [13]