MANILA, July 5 — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has expressed confidence that his department’s projects will turn into reality.
“When we present our projects, these are not mere figments of the imagination. These are the real deal. These will become reality,” Tugade said in a message read by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Reinier Paul Yebra during the “1 with the 99: Tax Reform Forum”, held at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday.
During the forum, Yebra presented the DOTr’s targets in the next five years, such as the 1,500 km. of railways nationwide.
“This is a huge leap from the 70 km. we currently have,” Yebra said.
Among the first projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board is the Mindanao Railway System, which will be the first railway system outside Luzon that is expected to bring growth and development to the region.
Yebra said the NEDA has also given the green light for the extension of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) North Railway Project, which will run all the way to the Clark Economic Zone.
Plans to extend the Light Railway Transit (LRT) to Cavite are also underway while construction of the LRT 2 line to Antipolo from the Santolan station is nearly complete, he said, adding that port modernization and an efficient, safe and convenient drainage system are also among the DOTr’s top priorities.
Delivering Tugade’s message, Yebra thanked the Filipino people for letting them do their jobs.
”It is truly a privilege. Konting tiis na lang po. Panandaliang tiis para pangmatagalang ginhawa (Bear with us a little longer. A small sacrifice today will mean a bigger convenience in the future),” Tugade said in the message.
The forum was held to heighten public awareness of the Duterte administration’s proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) that aims to benefit 99 percent of Filipino taxpayers and help sustain the government’s accelerated spending on infrastructure, education, health and social protection programs. (AAA/PNA)