CLARK FREEPORT -- Leaders in Pampanga and Angeles City vowed to fully support the railway project which would connect Metro Manila and Clark.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, together with Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, met with local government officials of Pampanga to discuss the effective implementation of various transport infrastructure projects.

Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago, Minalin Mayor Edgar Flores, Apalit Mayor Jun Tetangco, and Santo Tomas Mayor Gloria Ronquillo vowed to coordinate with the government agencies implementing the province’s connectivity to other regions.

Among the topics discussed was the construction of the PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos to Clark), which is targeted for partial operations by 2022.

The project features the country’s first airport express railway service that will connect passengers from Manila to Clark International Airport. Once completed, travel time between the two places would be reduced to less than an hour.

Also present in the meeting are DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark De Leon, Undersecretary for Railways and PRI Executive Director Anneli Lontoc, Associate Secretary for Special Concerns Manuel Gonzales, and Clark International Airport Corporation president Jaime Melo.