Abaya: Continuation of ‘tuwid na daan’ will improve railways, airports

MANILA, Philippines - Continuing the administration’s straight path advocacy would mean better train systems and airports for Filipinos, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said on Tuesday.

At a multisectoral forum in Naga City attended by President Aquino and members of his Cabinet, Abaya said Bicolanos can expect an operational railway service by 2021, with the completion of the P170.7-billion South Line of the North-South Railway Project (NSRP).

Tuesday’s forum was part of the commemoration of the 3rd death anniversary of interior secretary Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash off Masbate.

Abaya also said he expects the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board to approve the P3.5-billion project to redesign the Naga City airport. The project, once completed, is expected to reduce airfares.

Abaya is under fire for problems related to the Metro Rail Transit 3, among others. But he said improvements were already being done.

Abaya said the pre-qualification process would be held in October for those interested in bidding for the 600-kilometer South Rail project.

He said he expects the project to be awarded in March next year.

The North-South Railway project extends from Bicol to Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

He said the “southern version” of the project would pass through Tutuban, Calamba and Legazpi with extension in Matnog and Batangas.

Responding to criticisms over delays in the approval of major infrastructure projects, Abaya said the railway project was huge and would take time to implement.

“These are strategic, very important and inclusive projects. The detailed engineering design alone will take 15 to 18 months,” he explained.

“This is a complicated and big project. But construction will start in 2017. It is a four-year period to construct. So by 2021, we are confident that this railway will be operational,” Abaya said.

The Department of Transportation and Communications has said the winning bidder will operate, maintain and upgrade the South Line for 34 years, including the construction period of four years.

The NSRP’s South Line is the ninth transportation Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project offered under the Aquino administration.

Meanwhile, Abaya said the Naga City airport would have to be upgraded as it could not accommodate wide-bodied aircraft due to its short runway and its proximity to Mt. Isarog.

The DOTC plans to build a two-kilometer runway to accommodate larger planes, such as the Airbus A320, Abaya said during the same forum.

“Most members of the NEDA board are here so we know their vote,” Abaya said.

“If this is passed and implemented... construction will take two years,” Abaya said, noting that construction is likely to start in 2017 or once the detailed engineering design is done.

He said the project was the DOTC’s contribution to the people of Naga City and part of the administration’s straight path agenda.