"THE North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project is coming."
Thus said Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, who also assured that the big-ticket project will continue even beyond the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The DOTr chief said the railway "shall be delivered for the long-term benefit of Filipinos."
Tugade made an inspection of the PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) -- the second leg of the NSCR Project on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
He mentioned the key reasons why the project will not be called off, even as the current administration reaches the end of its term.
"If you have these three reasons -- awarded contracts, contracts that have started, and contracts that have already been funded, there is no reason to believe that this project – milestone and flagship as it is turning to be – it should not be stopped and it cannot be stopped with the changing of administration," Tugade said.
"To the Filipino people, what I have seen--both in Apalit and in Clark, will tell you the story that the NSCR is coming. And I will ask you to help us, pray for us that as it is coming, it will continue and it is to be done," he added.
The NSCR is a mega railway network spanning 148 kilometers, with 37 stations and 464 train cars, and encompassing three segments —- the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba (Solis-Calamba).
This mass transport project, which stretches across 26 cities and municipalities within the three regions of Central Luzon, National Capital Region, and Calabarzon, is expected to serve more than one million passengers daily once fully operational.
It is also envisioned to enhance connectivity and mobility as well as provide convenience to the commuters.