P117-B railway project to boost Bicol tourism

MANILA, Philippines - The 653-kilometer Manila-Legazpi City South Railway recently approved by the National Economic and Development Authority is expected to boost tourism in Bicol’s rural areas.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the project,   a component of the North-South Railway master plan of the North-South Commuter Railway project costing P117.3 billion, will be implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

“The Manila-Bicol railway is critical in the promotion of rural tourism. It will further empower Bicol labor to compete in Metro Manila’s market and elsewhere in Luzon and provide a multi-modal transport means to bring Bicol’s agricultural products and manufactured goods to the rest of Luzon, he said.

Salceda, chairman of both the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Luzon Area Development Coordinating Council (LADCC), worked with the PPP Center, Department of Transportation and Communications, NEDA and Philippine National Railways to ensure the prioritization of the project.

The North-South Luzon Railways plan aims to revive the Manila-Albay route and improve transport and logistics services to underserved areas and boost productivity.  Its blueprint was first drawn up and proposed by the Bicol RDC, which the governor chairs for the third time now.

The government is pushing for mass rail transit systems and bus rapid transit systems development nationwide to help address the issue of congested roads and toll ways, Salceda said.

Because of this,  he vowed to pursue the Luzon 2045 Plan, under which the South Luzon Railways is a priority concern.  His LADCC is tasked to stir and steer the economic direction of Luzon, the hub of the country’s business and economy, which comprises 38 provinces and 771 cities and municipalities.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, NEDA Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Presidential Managemant Staff Secretary Rene Almendras cited Salceda for pushing the project.