In past columns written for this corner, I engaged readers in putting forth various ideas that I hoped would be picked up by observant people. Well, it seems that one or two of them found their way upstairs and, happily, whether my musings helped, some of these ideas did seem to take root. For example, not just I but others, advocated the connectivity of railway systems nationwide, but with special emphasis on providing interconnectivity among the various key ports of Batangas, Metro-Manila, Clark, Subic, Poro Point and Cagayan. This would allow not just people, but also cargo to be shipped back and forth from and to these key areas. Another idea was to bite the bullet and deviate from the past administration’s fantasy of a narrow-gauge railway, one that would have limited our ability to carry heavier weights, and reduce us to using a system out of sync with the rest of the world.
One time, when I visited our La Salle classmate then Public Works Secretary Babes Singson, he told us of various projects he had in mind. I remember vividly a couple of them. One was to create a subway system that would not have to deal with the problems inherent to building an overhead rail. Of course, subway systems have their own inherent sets of problems, but the science has advanced so much that even threats of flooding building below other structures can be done with impunity these days.
The second idea he proposed is one I will dwell on at length. It seeks to combine road, rail and sea travel. He commented that the present Pan-Philippine highway that traverses the length of the country passes through some pretty wild territory in the center, specifically typhoon-prone areas, like Samar and Leyte. While this route is still important, the following alternative was suggested. First, the Luzon route could use both the western side all the way up to the end of Region 1. A second route could be put forth on the eastern side of Luzon all the way up to the Cagayan Export Zone. Instead of going all the way across Bicol, these two roads/rail could then converge in Batangas Port. Then, all vehicles and people would board special Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-ro) ships that would connect to Mindoro, where a similar road/rail route could be carved out until reaching the southernmost point of the island. The same process of boarding special Ro-ro ships would take place, taking people and cargo to a defined place in the northern part of Panay Island. Fortunately, the new dispensation remembers that Iloilo once had a very viable rail system, one I had even ridden in. This same rail and a road route would then be carved out all the way to Iloilo, where the same process would take place transferring people and cargo to Negros. If a road can’t be carved through the mountains of Negros, then one of the existing routes could be used again for road/rail to the right side of the island, where a jump off to Cebu would take place. Then, from Cebu to Bohol and, finally, from Bohol to Northern Mindanao.
This central spine route would pass through more of the country’s populated islands while opening up new vistas for travel and tourism. Furthermore, the rather expensive cost of shipping goods and services all over the Philippines would benefit from this exercise.
It’s worth a thought, and maybe someone, somewhere in government may just decide to champion this project.