Metro Manila --- Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade today urged the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to fast track its various railway projects in order to move more people in a safe, fast, and more comfortable way.
During the celebration of PNR’s 125th anniversary at the Tutuban Station in Manila, Secretary Tugade enjoined the PNR, led by Board of Directors' Chairman Roberto Lastimoso and General Manager Junn Magno, to start the awarding of different rail projects early next year.
“Mag umpisa na tayo bago magtapos itong taong ito. At kung kinakailangan ng palugit, huwag na nating pahabaan yung palugit, umpisahan na natin ng Enero,” he said.
Among those in the pipeline are the PNR North (Manila – Clark), PNR South (Manila – Los Baños – Bicol), Mindanao Railway Project, and the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway. Tugade challenged the PNR to help realize the DOTr’s target to build more rail networks nationwide and increase the current 77 kilometers to 1,900 kilometers of rails.
“Mahal ng Pangulo ang sambayan lalo na yung higit na nangangailangan. Mahal ng Pangulo ang riding public kaya’t gusto niyang bigyan ng convenience at security ang mananakay,” the transportation head added.
Apart from fast tracking the rail sector projects, Secretary Tugade urged the PNR management to streamline business processes and reduce the processing time of transactions.
“Sabi ng ating Pangulo, una, bawasan ang proseso. Kung yung mga proseso at mga dokumentasyon, kasama na yung mga lisensya at kontrata, ay kumikitil o humingi sa inyo ng 30 dias, bawasan, gawing 15. Kung mababawasan sa 15, gawing 7. Kung mababasawan ang 7, gawing 3. At kung sakali lang , pag-atang ng isyu ng request, sa araw na yun gawin ang ating trabaho,” he said.
He also ordered the facilitation of pension payments for PNR retirees, some of which were present at the anniversary event.
“Kung ang ating mga retirado ay wala pang bayad, hindi ba temptasyon yan para mag-isip ka ng kalokohan? Bayaran naman sila. Kapag ang mga retirado hindi bayad, promise, pati ang Pangulo magagalit,” Secretary Tugade said.
