MANILA, Philippines - Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “L-Ray” Villafuerte proposed yesterday the privatization of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) as a means of effectively restoring the operational efficiency of the rail system without significantly incurring a huge outlay from the government.
Villafuerte made the proposal following the suspension of the rail service due to damage caused by torrential rains brought by typhoon Juaning that devastated Albay, Camarines Sur and other areas of the Bicol region last month.
Villafuerte said that the government could invite local and foreign investors under President Aquino’s Public-Private Partnership program that could involve not just the upgrading and modernization of the railroad tracks and other PNR facilities but the operation and management of the entire system itself.
“Modernizing and operating the entire rail system is a big ticket project that requires hundreds of millions of dollars in capital outlay which the country cannot afford at this time. Hence, it makes sense and it is only logical that we turn to local and foreign investors,” Villafuerte said.
“An efficient rail system would provide a faster, cheaper and safer means of transporting people and agricultural products and other goods from Bicol to Metro Manila. It will further boost tourism arrivals and make Bicol the new growth area of the country,” Villafuerte said.
He added this will generate thousands of new jobs not just in the upgrading and modernization of the railway but also in the operation and management of the PNR. It will benefit not only Bicolandia but also the areas of Quezon province traversed by the railroad.
“Bicolanos have long awaited the resumption of the Legaspi to Manila run of the PNR. In fact, there have been plans to extend the railroad to Matnog, Sorsogon where it could link up with the RoRo system, ” Villafuerte concluded.
system,”Villafuerte concluded.