PNR North rehab costs P2.5 billion

MANILA (PNA) - The national government needs at least P2.5 billion to speed up the

rehabilitation of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) north line, according to

Transportation and Communications Sec. Vicente Rivera, Jr.

Rivera said the amount involves the complete rehabilitation of the 263.75 kms, north line from

Manila to San Fernando.

Rivera said the line may be extended to San Jose or even up to Cagayan Valley with the

support of some foreign companies.

It will be noted that a portion of the line, the Manila-Dagupan Service, was the first commercial

line to be constructed in the country.

PNR main line north and its branch line directly traverses the rich and developing provinces of

Central and Northern Luzon.

Rivera said the growing population of these provinces necessitate the requirement of big

transport, particularly along the corridor to Metro Manila, the country's activity center.

If ever the mainline North will be rehabilitated, it will still be used for commuters but will

primarily cater to cargo, Rivera said.

Earlier, President Joseph E. Estrada said that the railways is one of the priorities of his

administration.

"The existing railway system, which used to run from San Fernando, La Union in the north and

Legazpi City in Bicol will be rehabilitated and a new railway system will be developed in

Mindanao," Estrada said.

At the same time, Rivera said the speedy rehabilitation of the line in the north will provide safer

and cheaper transport alternative of moving passengers and goods in Central and Northern

Luzon.

During the past years, several inquiries have been received by the DOTC from Swiss, Spanish

and British group which are keen on undertaking the project for PNR under the

Built-OperateTransfer (BOT) scheme. Among them is Seibu, a big Japanese company.

There was also a proposal to undertake the rehabilitation of the line into two phases.

Phase I calls for the rehabilitation of permanent ways from Caloocan to Tarlac, Tarlac together

with the rolling stocks. This will cover a distance of 113.65 kms.

Phase II calls for the rehabilitation of the tracks and bridges from Tarlac to San Fernando. La

Union as well, as of the branch line from Tarlac to San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

"In the long run, if the rail system managed well and its inherent potentials explored as a

transport mode for mass and long distance traffic, it will significantly help in the socio-economic

development of its influence area," Rivera said. (PNA)