DOTr eyes completion of 1,900 km of railways

1,500 Km Mindanao Express soon to start

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to complete about 2,000 kilometers of railway during the Duterte administration, its chief said on Tuesday.

“Hinahangad ho namin na bago matapos ang term, ang termino ng ating Pangulo na limang taon, kailangan ho nailagay na ho namin sa operable condition ang 1,900 kilometers of railway,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

He noted the need for multipliers effect that is generated by numbers such as numbers in coaches and trains.

“Kaya nga ho, meron tayong improved transportation system sa Metro Manila from Tutuban to Clark; from Clark to Los Baños; from Los Baños, Calamba to Bicol. And then having said that, we have to have a cargo railway system between Clark and Subic. This is the railway system in Central Luzon,” he said.

Tugade assured that Mindanao will not be left behind, noting that the construction for the first phase of the 1,500-kilometer Mindanao Express will commence next year.

“Pangmalawakang railway system, pagka’t tama po kayo, the more facility we have, the more ridership we have, the more decongestion we have achieved and if we have more decongestion that we have achieved then traveling will be more comfortable, will be more relaxed, and more importantly, will be more safe,” Tugade said.

The Cabinet official also bared plans for the establishment of a Railway Institute where those who will work in the country’s railway and subway system will be trained.

The DOTr, Tugade said, is spearheading the construction of the first Philippine subway system.

“In fact, nakaabang na ho ‘yung mga dokumento na kung saan mabibigyan reyalidad ‘yung pangarap na magkaroon tayo ng first subway system,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tugade said the department is working on addressing the problems with regard to the Metro Rail Transit, including manpower, railways, power, signaling, maintenance, and inventory control.

“May ginagawa ho tayo. Bigyan niyo kami nang konting palugit, a-adresan namin ‘yan,” he said.(PNA)

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