Bicol Express Rail Line Revival Gains Momentum Under Marcos Administration, Says Party-List Representative
Manila — The potential revival of the Bicol Express rail line under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration continues to garner attention and hope.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) decision to move away from China as a funding source for the project, developments like the groundbreaking of resettlement sites in Laguna and Quezon provinces indicate a strong commitment from the Marcos administration to push forward with the project.
“President Marcos is not only focused on the rebirth of the Bicol Express but is also considering the well-being of affected residents by ensuring their resettlement in livable communities. This is a strong indicator that the project will proceed,” Yamsuan said. He added that dropping the loan application with China could be beneficial as the government could seek more cost-effective financing packages from other sources.
The first stage of the Bicol Express line revival, dubbed the South Long Haul Project, is planned to commence from Banlic in Laguna and pass through various areas in Laguna, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and Albay provinces, before ending in Daraga, Albay. An extension to Sorsogon is also under consideration. DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista recently announced the abandonment of China as a partner in this and two other big-ticket projects, citing China’s waning interest. Bautista confirmed that the department is exploring other funding options in collaboration with the Department of Finance (DOF).
In addition, the DOTr is coordinating with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the National Housing Authority (NHA), and the provincial governments of Laguna and Quezon for the construction of 3,651 housing units worth a combined PHP2.83 billion for residents affected by the rail line project. The housing units will be located in San Pablo City in Laguna, and in Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Pagbilao in Quezon province.
Yamsuan urged the DOTr to consider public-private partnerships (PPP) for the project’s financing. He proposed that foreign funding institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) could finance the electromechanical system, while the government could cover right-of-way acquisition and rolling stock and collaborate with the private sector for the civil works.
The revival of the Bicol Express line, Yamsuan argues, will be a significant development for South Luzon’s economic growth, creating specialized jobs in the railways sector and providing numerous employment opportunities for Bicolanos. According to DOTr data, the 368-kilometer Bicol Express project aims to cut down travel time between Laguna and Bicol from the current 14-18 hours to just six hours for regular commuter trains and 4.5 hours for express trains.