Lawmaker lauds P114-B funding for railway modernization

MANILA: House of Representatives Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe commended the almost five-fold increase in funding proposed for the country's railway modernization, totaling P113.99 billion for the next year, saying it would help the Philippines resolve its transportation issues.

According to Dalipe, the huge increase in funding for the country’s railways proves the commitment of the Marcos administration to establishing a “fast, efficient, and easily accessible mass transportation system” and to decongesting traffic in Metro Manila and other major cities.

The proposed budget for railway modernization has increased to P113.99 billion for 2023, almost five times the previous budget of P23.12 billion for 2022.

The proposed budget for next year will be allocated to major railway projects, including the construction of an additional 1,200 kilometers of rails that could transport 4.5 million passengers daily.

“We are happy that the new administration’s thrust in solving our transportation problem is to expand and modernize our railways. This should have been the priority a long time ago and we would never have to endure the monstrous traffic in Metro Manila. The railway is still the easiest and fastest way to transport people, not cars,” Dalipe stated. “We will not just solve our traffic problem but we can also decongest Metro Manila’s population. If we have a modern rail system. Filipinos would definitely choose to live outside of Metro Manila.”

Dalipe also acknowledged the appointment of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez, both of whom have extensive backgrounds in the railway and transport sectors and are experts in the railway projects that are part of the government's long-term development agenda.

Dalipe claimed that their appointments demonstrate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s willingness to keep his promise to develop a top-notch national railway system.

“Our long-term goal should be to continuously increase the coverage of our light rail system in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces and extend our rail connection to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” Dalipe added.

Marcos declared in his first State of the Nation Address that he is committed to carry on the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, but with a new focus on expanding the country’s railway network.

“The backbone of an economy is its infrastructure. The infrastructure program of the Duterte administration must not only continue but, wherever possible, be expanded. We shall confidently build on this firm foundation established by my predecessor, as it is in building an edifice. We must keep the momentum and aspire to ‘Build Better More,’” Marcos said.

“It is my belief also that we have missed some great opportunities to develop our rail transport system,” he added. “It is clear in my mind that railways offer great potential as it continues to be the cheapest way of transporting goods and passengers. We can build upon already existing lines by modernizing these old railway systems. There are dozens of railway projects – on the ground, above the ground, below ground, not just in Manila, but in other regions – at various stages of implementation, and with a combined cost of P1.9 trillion.”

Marcos also noted that the 102-kilometer Mindanao Railway Project, the Panay Railway Project, and the Cebu Railway System could all be integrated as an integral part of the transport and communications systems.

“My order to the Department of Transportation or DOTr is really very simple: Full speed ahead! Improving our railway system, along with modernizing existing airports and seaports, will maximize our strategic location in the Pacific and connect our many islands,” Marcos added.

Photo from Department of Transportation

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