Manila: The Senate has assured continued funding for big-ticket railway projects as Senate Finance Committee Chair Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito and acting Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez inspected its ongoing construction on Thursday. The inspection came a day after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. broke ground for the subway project's NAIA Station. The President has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to speed up the construction of railway projects to ensure timely completion and ease the daily commute of Filipinos.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ejercito expressed his intention to personally review the progress of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) to ensure uninterrupted funding. He emphasized the importance of continuous support under his finance chairmanship to avoid further delays in the projects. Ejercito stated his desire for the NSCR and subway to become operational as soon as possible, benefiting Filipinos, particularly those residing in Metro Manila, Laguna, and Pampanga.
Lopez reassured commuters that the DOTr is expediting the construction of both railway systems to help save time and enhance productivity. He highlighted the necessity of these projects, emphasizing the importance of the railways, subway, and NSCR in improving transportation.
During the inspection, the officials visited the ongoing construction sites, including the NSCR's West Valenzuela Station and its Operations Control Center, the MMSP depot and Quirino Station, and the Philippine Railway Institute (PRI). They also examined the NSCR's eight-car train set, which can accommodate at least 2,200 passengers per trip.
The projects are financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Once operational, the 147-km, 35-station NSCR will serve at least 800,000 passengers daily from Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon. The 33-km MMSP is expected to benefit 519,000 passengers, reducing travel time from Valenzuela City to NAIA Terminal 3 to 40 minutes from the current one hour and 10 minutes.
These initiatives aim to alleviate traffic congestion in the northern and southern parts of the metropolis while promoting economic growth in neighboring provinces. Ejercito and Lopez were joined by Japanese Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Yokota Naobumi, JICA Senior Representative Takanori Morishima, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Undersecretary for Philippine Railways Institute Anneli Lontoc, Assistant Secretary for Railways Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership Eduardo Danilo Macabulos, and Assistant Secretary for Railways-Operating Lines Paul Anthony Pangilinan.
