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NewsTranscript
00:00 Since March 28, the route of Governor Pascual Tutuban and Tutuban Alabang of the Philippine National Railways has been suspended.
00:09 That is to improve the North-South Commuter Railway Project.
00:13 We will talk about that live here in the studio, PNR Chairman Michael Ted Macapagal.
00:18 Chair, welcome to Unang Balita. Thank you for joining us.
00:21 Thank you for inviting me.
00:23 Okay. First, many are excited about the North-South Commuter Railway.
00:29 Since the operation was suspended and the project started, what is the progress here at NSCR?
00:36 It's good, sir. In fact, I'm very excited to announce that from Clark to Valenzuela, we are about over 50% finished.
00:48 Metro Manila started the construction of Tigil Pasada to give way to construction from Manila all the way to Laguna.
00:57 You mean the Tigil operation?
00:59 Yes, the Tigil operation that started March 28 to give way to construction.
01:03 And sir, this is the country's most advanced railway system.
01:07 These are all elevated or mostly elevated with electric trains.
01:12 There are no diesel locomotive trains that we used to run for the past 100 years.
01:18 These are all at par with world standards.
01:21 Let's remind our listeners, this is 147 kilometers total length, 37 stations from Clark to Calamba.
01:30 Yes, 3D post.
01:32 What will be the impact of this on the lives of our commuters?
01:35 It's big, sir. It will help with traffic, number one.
01:39 Because after that, we should be able to transport over 800,000 passengers daily.
01:48 So, it will help a lot.
01:51 And also, we should be able to declug Metro Manila.
01:54 People can live both in the south and in the north and to go to Manila to work.
01:59 And also, the travel time, sir. It will cut the travel time by half.
02:03 In fact, more than half.
02:04 Tell us, from Clark to Quezon City, typically, one and a half, if there's a bit of traffic, two hours.
02:12 If this is an operational train, how fast is the journey?
02:16 That's less than one hour.
02:18 That will stop at each station.
02:22 Because we have 15 stations from Clark to Quezon City.
02:28 Maybe less than 15.
02:29 But if there's no stop at each station, it will be faster.
02:34 Maybe just 30 minutes from Quezon City.
02:36 And the benefit of that, even for those who don't use the train,
02:39 you mentioned that Metro Manila will be declugged because they can live in the provinces and use the train.
02:45 And our roads will be decimated by cars.
02:48 Yes. And these stations, sir, will become transport hubs.
02:53 They can ride to other, like LRT, MRT, and there's also parking spaces for the private vehicles.
03:03 And there will be bases.
03:05 So, it's good, sir.
03:07 There will be easy access for people to move to other transport.
03:11 This is done in phases. Are we on track with our targets?
03:16 And when? More importantly, when will our countrymen experience the benefits of this?
03:22 Very good question, sir.
03:24 From Clark to Valenzuela, if it's already 50% finished, and more than 85% of our stations are already finished,
03:35 maybe, sir, in one to one and a half years, we can start running trial trains in these areas.
03:42 In Metro Manila, construction will start.
03:45 Currently, we're doing track removal and fencing activities.
03:50 By the end of this year or early next year, of course, there are right-of-way issues that we're fixing currently.
03:57 But we're hoping that we can start construction immediately all the way to Laguna.
04:03 If that can be finished, we're targeting 2028, full operational, the PNR will return.
04:11 So, this is the President's plan before he goes down and this is after?
04:15 That's the plan. Those are the marching orders of our beloved President.
04:18 And this is, by the way, part of the President's flagship project.
04:23 That has a priority.
04:25 We're prioritizing that and we're doing everything to finish within the target timeframe.
04:32 Hopefully, we can have the same interview in 2028 to announce that this PNR will be operational.
04:37 The President will probably inaugurate.
04:41 We will give you our hearts if you don't deliver this.
04:44 We will do everything. But I promise, from Clark to Valenzuela, this will be finished.
04:51 All right. This is what you mentioned earlier, right-of-way and all.
04:54 Of course, there are dwellers on the side.
04:57 Some will be affected by this project. How is our relocation to them?
05:02 Are these situations in construction being taken care of?
05:06 Those are the challenges that we're currently experiencing.
05:11 I would like to, on behalf of the DOTR and on behalf of the PNR,
05:16 we're asking for a little bit of forgiveness and a little bit of forgiveness.
05:22 Not only for our riding public, but mostly for the people who will be affected by this construction.
05:31 But we're giving entitlements because we've already done relocation sites.
05:39 Most of these relocation sites are in-city.
05:42 Let's say Bulacan. Bulacan will also be moved.
05:45 Pampanga. Pampanga will also be moved. Laguna. Laguna as well.
05:49 Metro Manila, in some areas outside of Metro Manila, but in some areas inside of Metro Manila.
05:57 And I will read this to you. There is cash compensation for structures.
06:03 There is a rental subsidy for temporary or temporary shelters.
06:08 There is socialized housing or public rental facilities.
06:12 There is transportation relocation. There is help to be able to reconnect or pay for utilities.
06:20 There is food allowance, inconvenience allowance, there is compensation for crops and trees.
06:27 In short, they will not just be thrown away.
06:29 Sir, we will provide a lot of help and we're very mindful.
06:34 That's the order of our beloved President and our beloved Secretary Jimmy Bautista,
06:41 to take care of the people who will be affected by the lines that our trend will go through.
06:47 Okay. Let's end on a high note. I think you have an announcement, Chair.
06:51 Yes. Thank you sir.
06:53 You know I was appointed by President Marcos to PNR in April of 2023.
07:00 Now, I will be celebrating my first year anniversary at PNR on April 28.
07:10 So on Monday, April 29, all PNR buses that are flying around Metro Manila, free pass.
07:19 So all PNR trains, I repeat, free pass on Monday, April 29.
07:26 Thank you very much. Philippine National Railways Chairman Michael Ted Macapagal. Thank you.
07:31 Thank you sir. Thank you very much.
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07:48 [Music]