Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6912

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness
Report 2016-2017, the Philippine railway infrastructure is currently
ranked 84" out of 138 countries surveyed in terms of extensiveness and
condition of efficiency. There is no doubt that the current state of our
railroad network is a pale shadow of what it was once was during its so-
called golden years.

Almost every study of the country’s economic competitiveness
lists poor infrastructure as one of the missing “links” needed for
phenomenal growth. Out of these requisites, an efficient, safe and
resilient mass transport system figures prominently in the government
developmental agenda. Already, proposals for the establishment of a
Mindanao Railway System has been floated lately as a possible spark
plug for the long-delayed progress in that southernmost island.

It should not be forgotten, however, that apart from Mindanao, the
Eastern Visayan region has consistently been among those areas left
behind in the country’s relentless drive towards prosperity. This measure
seeks to address such continuing malady by establishing a railway system
that would energize the slowly emerging growth centers in that region. In
the momentum towards growth, it is believed that the region would play a
vital and indispensable role, given the right infrastructural support.

Thus, the immediate approval of this b eagnestly requested.

TORRI 'OMEZ
Representative
Fourth District of Leyte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 6912

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RAILWAY
SYSTEM IN THE EASTERN VISAYAN REGION, FROM THE
ENTRY OF THE PROVINCE OF SAMAR TO THE
MUNICIPALITY OF SAN RICARDO IN THE PROVINCE OF
SOUTHERN LEYTE, AND APPROPRIATING — FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the
“Visayan Railroad Act of 2017.”

SEC. 2. Establishment of the Visayan Railway System. — There
shall be established a railway system in the Eastern Visayan Region
under the administration of the Philippine National Railways, connecting
the provinces of Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte from the entry of the
Province of Samar to the Municipality of San Ricardo in the Province of

Southern Leyte.

SEC. 3. Route, Alignment, Safety and Efficiency of the Visayan
Railway System. — The Department of Transportation (DoTr), in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways


(DPWH) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), shall undertake a
comprehensive study of the Visayan Railway System to determine the
most feasible and optimal route, taking into consideration the agro-
industrial, tourism and ecozone potentials of the concerned provinces to
be services by the railroad. The said departments and agency shall also
conduct an immediate technical study on the safety, efficiency and
resiliency of the railway system, including the preparation of the
necessary land surveys for areas to be acquired under the program, taking
consideration the growth centers of population, trade and commerce in

each of the provinces.

SEC. 4. Establishment of Visayan Railway Working Group. — The
Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the DPWH and the
PNR, shall establish a working group which shall include, but not limited
to, local chief executives of affected local government units, and
lawmakers of affected districts. This working group shall be consulted on
all matters concerning the Visayan Railway System.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of
Transportation, in consultation with the Visayan Railway Working Group
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective

implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. Funding. - The amount necessary for the conduct of the
necessary technical studies, shall be sourced from the current budget of
the DoTr and the PNR. Other funding mechanisms, such as public-private
partnerships, maybe be explored as per recommendation of technical

studies and Visayan Railway Working Group.


SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers

of general circulation.

Approved,