ANOTHER RAIL PROJECT

SOURCE: http://manilastandardtoday.com/

SUMMARY

• The government is auctioning another multi-billion peso, public-private partnership project that aims to boost up the motion of products and services in the Philippines. This is a P171-billion south rail project.

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• The Philippines needs a rural train system to meet the demands of a growing economy. The south rail project specifically will serve daily commuters on the Tutuban, Manila to Calamba, Laguna route, with the 478-kilometer long-haul service providing option for travelers on the Tutuban to Legazpi, Albay route.

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• Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya calls it the agency’s biggest project yet. “This project will impact directly on a grassroots level. Those who have less in life, especially farmers and fisherfolk, will be given efficient means to expand their livelihood. This is our biggest project, and this is for those who need it most,” says Abaya.

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• There is no argument that the rail project will provide economic opportunities to farmers and small- and medium-scale enterprises in the southern Luzon. Metro Manila through the rail system will just be a few hours away from the Southern Tagalog and Bicol provinces

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• Given the record of the Transportation Department, however, the awarding and the actual construction of the south rail project could take a very long time. It is also possible that the job to privatize the south rail project may fall on the hands of the next administration. Then, it may have a better chance.

This article relates to the current situation of the Philippines because it is important to improve our current transport system. This improvement will make our country a better place to live in.

The man represents Joseph Emilio Abaya who is seen carrying a stick with two bags, each bearing a title "Rail Transport" and "Rail Project". The two bags also seem to have something inside them, either money or train carts. So overall, it shows that Abaya and the Department of Transportation are taking a long time to construct this project, or Abaya in the editorial is having difficulty with the weight he is carrying to the goal he is walking to.

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QUESTIONS

Who is the Transportation Secretary?

Joseph Emilio Abaya

How much pesos is it needed to create the project?

P171 Billion

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