The completion timeline for the crucial railway connecting Manila to Clark Freeport remains shrouded in uncertainty, with estimates suggesting passengers might need to wait up to three more years before the service becomes operational.
Historical Delays and Unanswered Questions
Neither the Department of Transportation nor Acciona, the Spanish construction company handling the project, has provided clear answers about when the approximately 100-kilometer North South Commuter Railway will be finished. Current observations indicate several portions of the railway route remain untouched, leading to projections that public use might only begin around 2028 if progress accelerates.
The project's history reveals a pattern of delays spanning multiple administrations. Arthur Tugade, who led the Department of Transportation from the start of the Duterte administration, consistently promised accelerated construction even during the pandemic. However, when President Duterte's six-year term concluded, minimal progress had been achieved.
Now, after six years under Duterte and three years under President Bongbong Marcos, the railway remains incomplete. This stands in stark contrast to neighboring countries like Thailand, China, Cambodia, and India, which have successfully built and continuously improved their railway systems on schedule.
A Legacy of Failed Railway Projects
The Philippines' railway struggles span decades, with the country lagging behind in railway development for over fifty years. Historically, functional railway systems did exist, including the northern line running from Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila to Damortis in La Union, and the southern line famously known as the Bicol Express.
During the Arroyo administration, a revival attempt ended in controversy. A Chinese construction firm, Sinomach, was contracted using funds borrowed from China Eximbank, but the project was reportedly marred by corruption. Only 25% of the project was completed before it stalled, with allegations that officials pocketed significant portions of the loan.
Neither the Aquino nor Duterte administrations pursued prosecution of those responsible, and the Philippine government continues servicing the loan due to sovereign guarantee provisions.
The Growing Infrastructure Crisis
The railway delays contribute significantly to the country's worsening traffic crisis, which costs the economy billions of pesos daily. This economic drain becomes more severe as petroleum prices continue rising weekly.
The analysis points to obvious inaction by past and present leaders at both national and local levels as the primary cause. Metropolitan areas experience near-constant gridlock, making cities increasingly unlivable and stressing commuters traveling between Pampanga and key Manila destinations like NAIA, Mall of Asia, and major casinos.
Despite the urgent need for infrastructure development to support the burgeoning population, the author cautions against excessive borrowing, noting the government debt has already reached several trillion pesos. The warning light is blinking for fiscal responsibility amid critical infrastructure needs.
