Tugade sets railway infra build-up goal until 2022

By the end of his term, Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade hopes that at least 1,000 kilometers of railways in the Philippines should be in various stages of construction with 400 kilometers running commercially.

During a virtual presser, he said the agency targets to “achieve 1,200 kilometers of rails” before the term of President Duterte ends, but “realistically” it might be able to achieve a little lower than that figure.

“Speaking of realities, I want to jump-start up to 1,200 kilometers of rails, but realistically, 900 kilometers to 1,000 kilometers is still a win for us,” Tugade said.

He noted, however, that 400 kilometers should be operational by the end of his term as transport secretary.

According to the railway plan for the Philippines, by 2022, there should be 1,209 kilometers of route length, comprising of 168 stations, 1,381 trains under 34 contracts. All in all, the rail program for the Philippines costs P1.67 trillion.

Tugade noted that this plan is a huge leap from the state of the railway sector in 2016, when only 77 kilometers of railways were operational with 61 stations, 234 trains, and only nine contracts awarded.

“In terms of actual operations, 400 kilometers will be there,” he said.

According to Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Timothy John R. Batan, the 400 kilometers will comprise of the following: Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension, LRT Line 2 East Extension, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 7, Metro Manila Subway, and the North-South Commuter Railways.

During the briefing, Tugade also bannered his agency’s achievements in other transport sectors, including the maritime industry, aviation industry, and road sector.

Tugade is still unsure whether or not to run for public office after his term ends, noting that the decision will be based on President Duterte’s call.

“The President will decide. I am a good soldier—what the President says, so it will go,” he said.

For now, Tugade said he will “concentrate on finishing the projects” and not mind the upcoming elections.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/16/tugade-sets-railway-infra-build-up-goal-until-2022/