By Marjay Angelo C. Magno / PIA-NCR trainee
Edited by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan / PIA-NCR Regional Editor
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Engr. Deovanni S. Miranda assured that the South Long Haul Project remains on track, with right-of-way and site acquisitions already underway.
“Mayro’n kasing parte ng project na deliverables ng government of the Philippines at saka ‘yong commitment naman ng gobyerno at pag-pu-push ng leadership natin ngayon from the President going to our secretary na tuloy pa rin ‘yong project na ‘yan,” he said.
He added that some areas, including the planned depot site in San Pablo, Laguna, have already been acquired. Once informal settlers are relocated, the area will be secured to prepare for implementation.
The priority alignment of the project will span 380 kilometers from Laguna to Daraga, Albay, with future extensions to Batangas and Manila.
Regarding the right-of-way for the project, Miranda said that the PNR plans to use a new alignment instead of the old PNR route.
“As of now iyon ang direction na nakita naming talaga na mas magiging benefits para sa project na gamitin ‘yong bagong alignment,” he said
The original alignment would have affected around 120,000 informal settlers, whereas the new route reduces this number to approximately 30,000.
However, he acknowledged that purchasing new land for the railway is necessary.
It can be recalled that the PNR South Long Haul project, also known as the Bicol Express, is a proposed 560-kilometer (386 km for the first package) rail line connecting Metro Manila to the Bicol Region, aiming to reduce travel time from 14-18 hours to 4-6 hours. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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