The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Daryl Rose Virtudazo
Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil of the Second District of Pangasinan province has asked the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Communications to find out why the Philippine National Railways (PNR) ceased operations in North Luzon and to determine the possibility of its rehabilitation and the eventual resumption of services in the area. Bataoil made the call after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) granted the Philippines a $2-billion loan to finance the government’s share for the Manila North-South Commuter Rail project.
The PNR used to operate in Northern Luzon, passing through Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Pagasinan, with its northern most terminals in San Fernando, La Union.
But Bataoil said that for unknown reasos, the PNR operations there were discontinued after the Marcos regime.
“The people of North Luzon are in dire need of a mass railway transportation system in the same way, if not more, than the residents of South Luzon,” said Bataoil.
The lawmaker, a retired police general, said the rehabilitation of the PNR and the resumption of its services would greatly benefit the people of North Luzon through safer, more efficient, faster mode of transportation and without congestion problem. “Railway transit is a cheaper mode of transportation, thus, it enhances trade and commerce by transporting agriculture products from the North to the metropolis faster, and fresher food supply in the wet and super markets, resulting in a more vibrant economy,” said Bataoil, vice chairman of the committees on Veterans Affairs and Welfare, and on Public Information.
The $2-billion Jica loan will be used in the construction of a 36.7- km railway from Tutuban station in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan for Phase 1; Phase 2 includes the upgrading of the existing 478-km line from Manila to Calamba and Legaspi.
The project is expected to be completed by 2020.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya over the weekend disclosed that the DOTC was looking for different funding from Jica to finance a bigger South Line project under the public-private partnership.
This project, Abaya said involves 653 kilometers of railway lines that aim to decongest Metro Manila traffic and to improve the connectivity of provinces to the capital district.
Abaya also disclosed that San Miguel Corp., Ayala Corp. and Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. have formally expressed their interest in the project.