President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Friday to fast-track the completion of railway projects to bring prosperity to the Philippine transport system and the country’s economy.
In his speech, President Marcos said the government should leverage the Public Service Act to remove the 40 percent cap on foreign investment in railways to attract foreign investments in the transport sector.
The President added the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) hybrid model on L1CE Project serves as a template for future investments.
“With these in mind, we are pursuing more transportation projects. Dito sa LRT-1 Cavite Extension, hangad ko na matapos ang natitirang tatlong istasyon hanggang Bacoor, Cavite sa lalong madaling panahon,” President Marcos said.
“Ukol sa Unified Grand Central Station sa Quezon City na magsisilbing terminal kung saan magtatagpo ang apat na linya, hangad ko na agaran itong magkukumpleto,” he added.
President Marcos said the Unified Grand Central Station would bring comfort to daily commuters.
“Para naman sa MRT-7 na tatahak mula sa Quezon City hanggang Bulacan, inaasahan ko na magamit na ito upang maranasan ng tinatayang 300,000 pasahero ang pangakong 35 minutong biyahe sa magkabilang dulo,” he said.
“Sabik na rin akong makatanggap ng paanyaya sa pagbubukas ng unang yugto ng North-South Commuter Railway,” the President added.
Before concluding his speech, President Marcos extended his gratitude to the people behind the success of the L1CE Phase 1 Project completion, particularly the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The President also thanked the Light Rail Manila Corp. and the financial stakeholders and contractors for providing a safe, reliable transport system to the public.
“If ease of travel is key to prosperity, then it is in the railways that we find the drivers for growth,” President Marcos said.
“When we connect our hubs and our heartlands through a reliable, efficient transportation system—a people’s system accessible to all—we foster a truly inclusive and connected nation,” he added.
The L1CE project is expected to reduce travel time between Baclaran, Pasay City and Bacoor, Cavite, from one hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes. It also expected to accommodate an additional 300,000 daily commuters in the first year of its full operations.
The project is also expected to alleviate traffic conditions in the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite. Phase 1 covers the first five stations: Redemptorist-ASEANA; Manila International Airport Road; Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX); Ninoy Aquino Avenue; and D. Santos (formerly Sucat). (PND)
