Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Senate Finance Committee Chair Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday inspected big-ticket railway projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), and the Metro Manila Subway.

Lopez assured commuters that the DOTr is expediting the two major railway systems’ construction to allow commuters to save time and increase their productivity.

“We have to push more. Now, we really need this kind of project, itong mga railway, itong subway, itong NSCR,” Lopez said.

Ejercito assured the transport chief of the Senate’s funding support, stressing that railway systems are critical modes of transport that will benefit thousands of commuters.

“That’s why I wanted to see it for myself to make sure that the funding will not be disrupted anymore para no more delays. Para as soon as possible, we will see the NSCR and the Metro Manila Subway Project to be already operational para magamit na ito ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa Metro Manila, sa Laguna, at sa Pampanga,” Ejercito said.

Lopez and Ejercito inspected the ongoing construction of the NSCR’s West Valenzuela Station and its Operations Control Center, Metro Manila Subway depot and Quirino Station, and the Philippine Railway Institute (PRI).

They also inspected the NSCR’s 8-car train set, which can carry at least 2,200 passengers per trip.

Funded both by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the NSCR and Metro Manila Subway Project are expected to ease traffic in the northern and southern part of the metropolis, while spreading economic growth in adjacent provinces.

Once operational, the 147-kilometer, 35-station NSCR will service at least 800,000 passengers from Metro Manila, Central and Southern Luzon daily.

The 33-kilometer MMSP will benefit 519,000 passengers in its opening year, reducing travel time from Valenzuela City to NAIA Terminal 3 to just 40 minutes from the current one hour and 35 minutes.

Lopez and Ejercito were joined by Japanese Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Yokota Naobumi, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Takanori Morishima, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Undersecretary for Philippine Railways Institute Anneli Lontoc, Assistant Secretary for Railways Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnership Eduardo Danilo Macabulos and Assistant Secretary for Railways - Operating Lines Paul Anthony Pangilinan. Department of Transportation