Rails for progress

March 6, 2025 | 12:00am

Newly appointed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon is already generating significant optimism after voicing out the agency’s plans in accelerating major transport projects, particularly high-capacity mass transit systems. Privatization of these critical transport infrastructure, he said, is one of the key strategies he would focus on.

By definition, a high-capacity mass transport system is a public transportation network designed to carry a large number of people as quickly and efficiently as possible. Examples include trains, subways and buses – transport modes that help reduce traffic and make travel faster and more reliable.

Pushing forward with the modernization plans of these through public-private partnerships (PPPs) is truly a welcome development for motorists and commuters alike. This serves as an affirmation of the significant contribution of the private sector in realizing large-scale projects for public benefit – in this case, with the goal of picking up the pace to complete mass transit projects within a faster timeline.

Despite some improvements in recent years, the pace of the development of our mass transit systems has remained slow and lagging compared to our neighboring countries. Delays due to right of way issues, red tape and financial constraints have significantly slowed progress.

I remember back in the day when I used to ride the Philippine National Railways from Paco Station to Bulan, Sorsogon. It was truly a great experience to enjoy using such an efficient transport. Unfortunately, those days are behind us, and the local rail system has also fallen behind as countries in the region like Indonesia, Thailand and even Vietnam make huge strides to modernize their mass transit networks.

In fact, the launch of the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit in 2019 should serve as a wake-up call for the Philippines.  It’s time to stop merely accepting the ongoing struggles of chronic delays and instead accelerate the development of railway projects while improving the service of existing ones.

I have had the opportunity to visit places such as Tokyo, New York, Singapore, London, South Korea, Paris, Hong Kong and other progressive cities with dependable and efficient rail networks. In all these places, public transportation is the default choice of citizens, and it’s evident how a reliable transport system drives economic growth as it improves daily lives. I was able to witness firsthand how an efficient transportation network becomes an economic growth enabler – bridging the gap between rural and urban areas, spurring job creation, facilitating faster trade, and promoting convenience for the riding public.

This is a stark contrast with the case in Metro Manila, as it remains heavily reliant on road transport – a situation highly susceptible to congestion and delays. The most glaring example of this is what is happening daily on its main thoroughfare -– EDSA. The impact of this on our economy has been substantial, with billions of pesos lost daily due to traffic gridlocks. Various solutions have been attempted, but the core issue remains -– congestion.

Infrastructure delays bear significant social and economic costs, as proven by several studies. It’s time to move full speed to finally bring to life these long-awaited mass transit projects, and (hopefully) finally unburden the millions of Filipinos suffering from daily traffic woes that have long plagued our country.

High-capacity mass transit projects are the key to the success of the government’s traffic reform program for three primary reasons: improving connectivity between rural and urban areas, alleviating congestion in Metro Manila, and easing the public transportation challenges faced by millions of daily commuters.

We have witnessed firsthand how collaboration between the public and private sectors have enabled national progress, and with the growing economic demands of our country, the need to accelerate the completion of transport projects – particularly rail systems – has never become more urgent and necessary.

Private sector participation can and should play a key role in the development of these public transport systems. Beyond financial investment, the private sector can introduce innovations through technology transfer. The government in turn, must cultivate and maintain a regulatory environment that encourages private investment. PPPs thrive in an environment of mutual trust and confidence, with both sides working together to deliver projects effectively and efficiently for national progress.

Improving our transportation infrastructure, especially our rail systems, is a shared responsibility. When approached correctly, it will lead to shared benefits for all.

While I understand that we are still far from having a public transportation system similar to that of Japan and Singapore, I am hopeful that development of key transport projects – particularly rail systems – can be significantly accelerated during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Filipino commuters deserve nothing less. We need to act now.