Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

1553

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. IMELDA ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

At present, the northern reaches of the Island of Luzon are accessible by land
only through the use of public utility buses and private motor vehicles. However, such a
mode is not conducive to the transport of heavy cargo and masses of passengers, as
seating and cargo is limited. To an ordinary producer of goods or even to the usual
passenger, travel by public utility buses can be expensive and does not allow much
leeway for the maximization of costs. As an alternative, the establishment of a railway
network would allow for greater mobility to the people of Ilocos Norte. It will hasten
progress and development in the countryside as it will stimulate an increase in
commercial activities in the area.

In line with the thrust of the government to further intensify the accessibility of
means to link more closely each province to the others so as to facilitate commercial
transactions, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

Dea 6 Mom

" IMELDA ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS
Representative
2"4 District, Ilocos Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

1559

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON, IMELDA ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS,

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RAILWAY SYSTEM FROM LAOAG
CITY, ILOCOS NORTE TO PORO, SAN FERNANDO LA UNION, UNDER
THE BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER SCHEME

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress Assembled:

SECTION 1. A railway system connecting the Provinces of Ilocos Norte and La
Union shall be established, from the City of Laoag in the Province of llocos Norte to
Poro Point, in the Municipality of San Fernando, Province of La Union under the Build-
Operate-Transfer scheme.

SECTION 2. The Department of Transportation and Communications, in
coordination with the Public Works and Highways, shall undertake a comprehensive
study of the llocos-La Union Railway, taking into consideration the tourism and Ecozone
potential of the said provinces, including agro-industrial centers of the area to be
serviced by the said railway.

The Department of Public Works and Highways shall conduct investigation on
the safety and efficiency of the railway system, and undertake land survey for areas to
be acquired in the program, giving priority to growth centers of population, trade and
commerce.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of Transportation and Communications shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act.

SECTION 4. The necessary expenses in the conduct of the comprehensive study
and investigations in the safety and efficiency of the Ilocos Norte-La Union railway


system shall be determined by the Department of Public Works and Highways and
Transportation and Communications in coordination with the Department of Budget and
Management. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
appropriated out of any fund in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the operation and maintenance of the
railway system shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved.

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