Press Release
April 9, 2016

POE PUSHES FOR RAIL SYSTEM, IMPROVED PORTS IN SORSOGON

SORSOGON--In efforts to promote inclusive growth, Sen. Grace Poe said she will prioritize infrastructure projects that will make the delivery of goods and services from the northern to the southern tip of Luzon more efficient.

Should she win in the May elections, Poe said her administration will speed up the revival of a railway system connecting Metro Manila to Bicol.

"Prayoridad po talaga na ma-implementa na ito, lalo na ngayon na lumalakas ang ating ekonomiya, importante ang transportasyon ng hindi lamang tao kundi produkto," Poe told the media during a campaign sortie in Sorsogon, home province of running mate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

The proposed North-South Railway Project (NSRP) is on the procurement stage under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program. At P170.7 Billion, it is the biggest PPP deal so far.

The NSRP South line consists of commuter lines between Tutuban in Manila and Calamba in Laguna, and a long-haul network to Bicol provinces, including extended operations connecting Legazpi and Matnog in Sorsogon. The branch lines, existing and proposed, total approximately 653 kilometers.

Despite at least five prospective bidders, the project, which is supposed to be operational in 2020, has been derailed. Submission of pre-qualification documents originally set on April 15, 2016 had been postponed.

"Dapat from Manila hanggang dito, dapat mas mabilis ang pagbiyahe. Ngayon, hindi natuloy 'yung sinasabi nilang PNR na makakarating dito e proud pa naman ang mga Bicolano, 'Bicol Express' nga 'yung sinasabi nila pero wala naman silang train system," Poe said.

The 56-km stretch of the project between Tutuban and Calamba represents the existing Philippine National Railway (PNR). Extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of bridges and road crossings are still necessary to make sure the safety of the rail system.

Aside from a railway system, Poe said ports in Matnog have to be improved so that bigger ships can dock.

"Alam naman natin, sa Matnog, Sorsogon, doon talaga ang pasukan ng iba't ibang mga kalakal galing sa Mindanao at sa Visayas. Noong nagkaroon ng Yolanda, diyan talaga nakabara lahat ng mga trucks dahil maliit ang port at kailangan talagang mas malalaking barko ang makapasok doon," Poe said.

The lone independent presidential candidate also vowed to provide more livelihood opportunities for the people of Sorsogon.

"Unang-una talaga, magkaroon ng tamang sistema sa pagtulong sa mahihirap. Bigyan sila ng pagkakataon--'yung kabuhayan, dapat may sapat na trabaho ang ating mga kababayan. Bigyan ng suporta sa edukasyon ang mga mahihirap: libre ang kolehiyo. At hindi lamang 'yon, kailangan ang mga polisiya natin, mas makakapag-engganyo ng mga namumuhunan dito para mas maraming trabaho ang malikha," Poe said.

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