LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 15 (PNA) — Bicolano Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero has vowed full support to the efforts to bring back the glorious days of the “Bicol Express” of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), saying its revival and the full operation of a modern railway line augurs well for the economy and tourism of the region.
An emailed statement said Escudero told members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Southern Luzon in Daet, Camarines Norte, that it was the dream of every Bicolano like him to see the South Line Railway of the state-run PNR back on its track with up-to-date and faster trains.
“Matagal nang mithiin at pangarap ‘yan ng maraming Bicolano sa mahabang panahon (It has been a long-time dream of many Bicolanos),” he said, as he vowed to do all he can to have it realized.
Escudero, who hails from Sorsogon, said he was glad the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III has laid the groundwork for the revival and modernization of the Bicol Express, Southeast Asia’s oldest train service with operation dating back to 1920s.
The government recently announced that it was bidding out the Php170.7-billion South Line Railway project, a 653-km line from the PNR station in Tutuban, Manila to Matnog in Sorsogon, passing through Legazpi City.
It has been dubbed as the Aquino administration’s biggest public-private partnership project to date.
“Pangarap ko para sa Bicol na matuloy ang proyekto pero ‘yung may maganda at mabilis na tren na kukonekta sa bawat lalawigan ng Bicol sa Luzon at sa Metro Manila (My dream for Bicol is to have this project implemented but with good and faster trains that will connect all provinces in Luzon to Metro Manila),” Escudero said.
The veteran lawmaker is confident that the PNR south line’s full operation will help the Bicol Region attract more tourists and businesses, and maximize its immense potential for economic growth.
The construction of the railway line was expected to start early 2016, while its commercial operation has been set for 2020.
Once fully operational, the PNR south line would cut by more than half the travel time from Manila to the Bicol Region.(PNA)