Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos on Wednesday said he would push for the revival of the "Bicol Express" train route as he wooed the voters from the bailiwick of his closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo.
Marcos said the return of Bicol Express, which connects Manila to the Bicol Peninsula, would be one of his priority projects if he wins in the May 9 elections.
“Madalas nating marinig noon ang salitang ‘Bicol Express’ patungkol sa mga tren na bumibyahe sa rehiyon. Sa paglipas ng panahon ay naging palasak na lang ang katagang ito na tumutukoy sa pangunahing sistema ng transportasyon na ngayon ay bilang isang masarap na pagkain ng mga Bicolano,” he said in a statement.
“Ibabalik natin ang ‘Bicol Express’ nang higit na maayos at epektibo sa panahon ng ating panunungkulan,” he added.
The so-called "Bicol Express" route started in 1931 as part of the Philippine National Railways rail system from Dagupan to Legazpi, which became popular among travelers as it was a cheaper than an airplane yet faster than a car.
The route, however, slowly deteriorated in the 1970s due to security issues and calamities, and was badly damaged after the onslaught of Typhoons Milenyo and Reming in 2006, causing its suspension, Marcos' statement said.
Now, Bicol Express is the name of a popular dish of pork stewed in coconut milk and chillies.
Marcos said the revival of the Bicol Express route would be part of his plan to continue President Rodrigo Duterte's Build, Build, Build program. He said he was open to talking with big companies for a possible public-private partnership.
“Hindi naman siguro tayo nakakalimot na ang tren na biyaheng Bicol ay hindi lang nagbigay ng malaking kaginhawaan kundi nagdulot din ito ng malalim na kasiyahan sa ating mga kababayang Bikolano," he said.
"Ibalik natin ito pero mas pagandahin pa natin at pabilisin upang magsilbing pangunahing transportasyon ng mga Bicolano at mga dayuhang turista na naaakit sa ganda ng bayang ito,” he added.
Plans to connect Bicol to Manila again are underway, with the first package of the 560-kilometer PNR Bicol expected to start construction in the first quarter of this year, the rail system’s management said.
ALSO READ:
MRT Returns to Full Passenger Capacity, Here's Your Guide
LRT-2 Offers Free Random Antigen Testing for Commuters
How to Get COVID Vaccines, Boosters at LRT-2 Stations