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JV Ejercito urges nat’l gov’t to improve railways: Move people instead of cars

August 09, 2022

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Tuesday called on the national government to improve the country’s public transportation system, especially its railway networks.

In a privileged speech at the Senate, Ejercito said the country’s railway system has the potential to serve as the “backbone of the economy.”

“Ang pagsasaayos ng ating mass transport system ang magbibigay kalutasan sa matagal na nating suliranin sa trapik. Mababawasan ang mga pribadong sasakyan sa ating mga lansangan—bibilis hindi lamang ang daloy ng trapiko kundi maging pag-usad ng ating ekonomiya,” he said.

“Let us adopt a policy of moving more people instead of moving more cars,” he added.

According to the latest Global Competitiveness Report, the Philippines ranked 102nd out of 141 countries  in terms of transport infrastructure.

The country also has the lowest rated railway service in Asia, ranking 86th out of 101 countries.

“On the ground, this means long lines in terminals, congested roads. The Filipino commuters suffer the consequences of an inefficient transport system,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito said expanding the country’s railway system will pave the way for economic hubs in rural areas and decongest urban centers across the archipelago.

“We have always dreamt of making the railway stations as economic hubs where business districts, industrial estates, commercial areas, and agricultural terminals are present and booming. This will surely spread out the development from Metro Manila Cebu, and Davao to the far-flung areas of the country,” he said.

The lawmaker from San Juan City proposed the establishment of the Luzon Growth Triangle, which aims to connect Subic, Manila and Batangas, promote the full development of the Clark International Airport, a modern railway system, and vital road networks, and transform Luzon island into an “investment magnet.”

Ongoing railway projects in Luzon include the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 Cavite Extension; Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 7; Metro Manila Subway Project; and North-South Commuter Railway, which includes the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phase 1, PNR Clark Phase 2, PNR Calamba, and PNR Bicol, also known as the South Long Haul.

The LRT-2 West Extension Project, MRT-4 Project and Subic Clark Railway Project are also in the pipeline.

“Ito ay hindi lamang magdadala ng kaunlaran sa rehiyon, kundi kasiglahan na rin ng ekonomiya sa buong Pilipinas dahil sa mga posibleng malilikhang mga trabaho at oportunidad,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito also called on the national government to ensure the completion of the Mindanao Railway Network, which he expects to bring economic growth and “genuine peace” to different conflict-affected areas across the island.

The first phase of the said island-wide railway network is expected to connect Tagum City in Davao del Norte to Davao City and Digos in Davao del Sur.

“Sa pamamagitan ng Mindanao Railway Network, na magkokonekta sa iba’t-ibang probinsya sa Mindanao, masusulusyonan na natin ang pagkasalat sa oportunidad ng rehiyon na siyang pangunahing sanhi ng mga pag-aaklas at rebelyon. Ang railway system ang siyang maghahatid ng trabaho, kabuhayan, at mismong kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” he said.

“Dahil sa oportunidad na dala ng railway system, mareresolba na natin ang isa sa mga sinasabing pangunahing dahilan ng pagtangan ng armas ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan—ang kahirapan at kagutuman,” he added.

Alongside these ongoing initiatives, the Senator vowed to advocate for the establishment of local railway networks in Panay Island and Cebu.

Ejercito then cited former Bogota Mayor and now President-elect of Colombia Gustavo Petro, who argued that “a developed country is not a place where the poor have cars, but where the rich use public transportation.”

He asked his colleagues to facilitate the creation of a “modern, safe, accessible, efficient, and environment-friendly” railway system.

“Let us lead our kababayans to a future where our railway system is modern, safe, accessible, efficient, and environment-friendly. Let us help them take back the quality of life that they have lost from battling everyday traffic and lack of means to travel,” he said.

“Let us invest in the country’s developing sectors through the immense benefits of a reliable railway system. Let us give peace a chance through equal distribution of opportunities across the country. Let us work on these visions now,” he added.

Recently, Ejercito filed several proposed measures on transportation, including a bill seeking to create a Comprehensive Master Plan on Infrastructure Development and Transportation Modernization, a bill on the establishment of agri-food terminals along railways, and a resolution calling for a probe on the current status of the country’s railway projects.

Expressing her support for Ejercito’s privileged speech, Senator Pia Cayetano vowed to hold a hearing on sustainable transportation at the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, where she was recently elected as chair. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva, Deputy Minority Floor Leader Risa Hontiveros, and Senators Bong Revilla, Grace Poe, Mark Villar, and Robinhood Padilla also supported Ejercito’s speech.