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By APD Writer Melo M. Acuna
MANILA, July 11 (APD) – The Philippines stands to benefit from the needed programs in the transport sector using its own funds, soft loans and public-private partnerships.
Transport Undersecretary for Railways Dr. Cesar Chavez said the government built 33 kilometers of railroad tracks from 1984 to 2017.
However, under the Duterte Administration, the government will hopefully complete around 900 kilometers of railroad tracks from Manila to Green City in what used to be Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga, railroad tracks from Clark to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Zambales province, Manila to Matnog in Sorsogon and the uplift of existing light rail transit facilities serving Metro Manila and suburban residents.
Speaking at the Wednesday Roundtable @ Lido, Chavez said he has attended high level meetings with China’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Finance both in Beijing at in Manila.
“Of the top three projects eyed by China, Chico River pump irrigation project (US$53.9 million) in northern Luzon, the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam project (US$374 million) in Quezon Province to supply Metro Manila of potable water, the third’s worth US$ 3 billion known as the South Line of the Philippine National Railway’s North-South project,” Dr. Chavez said.
The South Line would reach Matnog, Sorsogon from Manila.
He explained the project would not be confined to improvement but building new structures, using concrete railroad ties and new rails.
Dr. Chavez said they also have projects between in Mindanao, particularly between Tagum -
Davao –Digos and the Tagum – Butuan, Butuan to Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan City.
“We have already discussed our concerns with the Department of Energy to anticipate the growth in demand for electricity for these projects which will be completed within the next three to five years,” he further said.
Asked about the government’s capacity to pay, Dr. Chavez said the National Economic and Development Authority has said there is a strong debt to GNP ratio.
“At the same time, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia believe we have the capacity to pay,” Dr. Chavez said.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has made representations with both Chinese and Japanese officials to grant a grace period of 30-35 years and an interest of 2 – 3%.
Aside from China, the Japanese government and a Malaysian private company would take part in the development of Philippine railways within the Duterte administration.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
