THE CURRENT administration is working hard to improve and modernize the country’s transportation system, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday, noting that “important” infrastructure projects are being pursued to reinvigorate the Philippine economy.
Marcos made the remark, as he expressed delight over the signing of the Contract Package NS-01 (CP NS-01) for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila.
“As we sign this contract package, we do not only write a new chapter in realizing important infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy. With it, we also fulfill a promise to achieve our shared dreams and aspirations that will be the foundation of a more comfortable, a more dignified life for every Filipino,” he said.
“So, I assure the Filipino people that the government will strive to modernize and improve the country’s transportation system. This will be one of the cornerstones of our progress as we move full speed ahead into a brighter tomorrow,” Marcos added.
Marcos said having an efficient transportation system would have a “multiplier effect” on employment and economy.
He also stressed that improving the transport sector would strengthen the country’s weaknesses in the supply chain and would make the economy “stronger and more sustainable.”
“So, truly, we cannot fall short on this aspect,” Marcos said. “So, let us work together, in unity, in cooperation, so that we can all build a future filled with opportunities, where all Filipinos can thrive and realize their dreams for themselves, for their families, and for their country.”
Marcos expressed elation over the signing of the CP NS-01, saying the landmark initiative would make the country “more connected than ever."
The signing, he said, would also mark a “new era of prosperity” for the Philippines in the so-called “new normal.”
“Indeed, this is a milestone towards the realization of the full North-South Commuter Railway line, which will significantly reduce the travel time between Clark International Airport and Calamba City, Laguna, once completed,” Marcos said. “Beyond improving our transportation system, the implementation of civil works for the CP NS-01 will also generate thousands of jobs for Filipinos during construction.”
Marcos lauded the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Mitsubishi Corporation for their commitment to finish CP NS-01 by 2028.
He also thanked the government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the financial support in the implementation of CP NS-01, as well as for being “active partners” in the country’s infrastructure development.
“We are glad to have you with us as we continue to strengthen our relations built on mutual confidence and cooperation, a relationship that has gone on for many, many decades and I can say without fear of contradiction that the development of the Philippines, especially in terms of infrastructure has shown that Japan has taken a very, very important part in that,” Marcos said.
The contract package was signed by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista and Mitsubishi Corp. executive vice president Koji Ota.
The CP NS-01 includes the procurement of railway infrastructure projects for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project and the North-South Railway Project - South Line (Commuter), known as the NSCR Extension Project.
The contract package includes railway tracks, turnouts, track sleepers, power supply and distribution systems, signalling systems, automated fare collection, computerized management maintenance, and platform screen doors, among other essentials for railway safety and operations.
When completed, the NSCR will significantly reduce travel time between Clark International Airport and Calamba City, Laguna, and will feature 35 stations designed to provide safe access for passengers with its disaster-resilient infrastructure design. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
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