The congestion experienced by New Yorkers during rush hour is nothing compared to the condition each train rider experiences in Manila. A train system to and from Clark International Airport (CIA) would help maximize convenience for local and international travelers and investors.
The past few weeks I have been using the railway system in the United States of America. It was not perfect, it was not always as clean as I would have expected, but it was impressive, because it took me from California; Minnesota; Indiana; Illinois; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and New York. It provides daily transportation for commuters not only from one state to another but also within their city and airport complex. Each line seamlessly interlinking with each other like a simple web.
Huge volumes of products are also transported through rail from ports in California and New York to other states all over the US.
In the Philippines the rail transport is used to move passengers within Metro Manila, consisting of a commuter-rail service provided by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and light-rail systems operated by the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) operating intercity rail lines in Manila. Shorter lines were built and operated on Negros island, serving sugar plantations and mills there, and elsewhere in the country. Some still operating seasonally.
There has been rail transport in the Philippines for over 120 years. Previous administrations tried to rehabilitate rail transportation in the country.
The railways should be the backbone of Philippine public transportation system, which can do more than simply reduce traffic congestion but link key cities efficiently and help socioeconomic development.
The Duterte administration is faced with degraded infrastructure and informal settlers on the railway’s right-of-way. These need to be addressed to revitalize commuter services and restore the Manila-Bicol route, as well as lost services in Northern Luzon.
The LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT serves over a million passengers daily in Metro Manila. MRT’s primary objective is to decongest Edsa, a congestion further aggravated by the rising number of motor vehicles. The expansion of the system to cover the entire stretch of Edsa is an attempt to decongest the thoroughfare and to cut travel times.
There was also a proposal to build a subway from Bonifacio Global City to Quezon City. The geological study showed that a subway is feasible. Plans were made for a train system connecting Metro Manila to the airport in Clark, Pampanga.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) pledges to improve the country’s train systems with its P43.5 billion budget request for 2016.
The DOTC promised to cut overloading in MRT trains from 157 percent to 171 percent.
The Duterte administration, including Congress, should work to improve the rail system in the country not only in Luzon but including Visayas and Mindanao.
The PNR is asking for P1.32 billion in operating subsidy for 2016, for the Metro South Commuter Services, for the line running from Tutuban in Manila to Calamba in Laguna.
For the LRTA, the requested subsidy is P1.42 billion for the Pasig-Recto line. The DOTC also requested a P6.75- billion “construction budget” for various LRT extension projects, for the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project and the LRT Line 2 Extension Project.
A systematic railway system in the country is badly needed. One that is interlinked and convenient for commuters. It must have the capacity to transport large freights. It must improve the life of the Filipinos and not be a daily stress point. It must be available.
****
The Healthcare Information Management Association Philippines presents The Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS) Conference 2016 at Makati Shangri-La Philippines on September 15.
The HIMS Conference 2016, with the theme “Global convergence enabling inclusive care and innovation,” will feature top health advisors, as well as international experts who will talk about the trends in health-care system, health-care solutions and the convergence of global market and local services. The conference serves as a venue for industry players, training institutions, vendors, other stakeholders and the larger business community to identify key factors and programs that will contribute to positioning the Philippines as the leading destination for quality health-care information management services.
Learn more about competitive success factors that HIMs business- process management companies need to excel and stay ahead. Register online at www.himap.ph. For conference packages and inquiries, e-mail hims@himap.ph.
E-mail: Jemain_diaz_de_rivera@yahoo.com