CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA)— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graces the ceremonial contract signing for the South Commuter Railway Project at the Jose Rizal Plaza, Calamba City this October 6 which aims to significantly cut travel between Calamba City and Manila.
 
The South Commuter Railway is part of the 147 kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) from Clark to Calamba City and will be constructed in four stages; S-04, S-05, S-06 and S-07 composed of stations from Alabang in Muntinlupa to Calamba City and train depot in Brgy. Banlic, Calamba City.
 
“I have just been informed that this is the largest ADB infrastructure-funded project in — that ADB has done in Asia. So that I think is significant in that… It shows the confidence that the ADB has always shown, our Korean partners have shown, our Japanese partners have shown in the potential of the Philippine economy, the Philippine worker,” says President Marcos.
 
President Marcos says that similar partnerships are valued by the government especially while the country slowly transforms the economy to a post-pandemic economy.
 
“We welcome this development at a time when we are going — and we have used this phrase often — full speed ahead towards modernization and our transport system and we are reclaiming our lives from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is what all of this truly means,” says President Marcos.
 
The president also praised DOTR efforts in bringing the nation closer to collective success and called on stakeholders’ support for the smooth and effective implementation project.
 
The railway is seen to boost local livelihood, business and tourism among others as the Calamba City station will be located near the Rizal Coliseum, a few kilometers away from the town’s renowned hot spring resorts.
 
Also joining the President are Senator Mark Villar, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines Kim Inchul , Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Philippines Ceren Nur Coskun, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Calamba Representative Cha Hernandez and Calamba City Mayor Roseller Rizal along with other stakeholders and government officials.
 
Mayor Rizal stated during the signing that the local government is ready to do their share in the smooth implementation of the project such as programs in place for more than 2,200 families affected by the project. (GG/PIA-4A)