NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1
o{ slip fei tiffarp
23 JAN 24 PI :17
RECEIVED F!Y-
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RAILWAY SYSTEM IN THE 
EASTERN VISAYAS REGION, FROM ORMOC CITY,
TO BAYBAY CITY, MAASIN CITY AND TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
RICARDO IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine government recognizes the need to interconnect our regions 
through good transport and communication netv\/orks. It gives higher priority to 
asset preservation or maintenance and rehabilitation of the existing transport 
infrastructure network rather than new construction or development particularly on 
the quality of the existing railroad tracks and services. This will open up new 
economic opportunities, reduce transportation and transaction costs of business and 
increase access to social services particularly the marginalized sectors.
In the previous administration, President Duterte already expressed support 
for the establishment of a Mindanao Railway System. To complement this, the 
Eastern Visayas Region is well positioned as the railway bridge that would connect 
the entire archipelago from Luzon to Mindanao via rail. Such a vision would, of 
course, be a decades long undertaking; so therefore, it is only sensible to begin the 
construction of the inter-regional railway systems along the same timeline, so the 
next stage of connecting the three regional railways systems would coincide, as 
well.
This bill seeks the immediate approval of the Ormoc-Southern Leyte Railway 
Act, that would plan, construct and operate the Eastern Visayas Railway System. 
This system would commence at Ormoc City, travelling southward along the west 
coast of the island of Leyte via Baybay City and Maasin City. This route would not 
only interconnect the major cities of the island of Leyte, but also provide a freight 
transport infrastructure for the economic and industrial zones located along the 
same major cities.


The creation and establishment of the Ormoc-Southern Leyte Railway 
System would provide a transport backbone that would support tourism and trade 
across Leyte and Southern Leyte and eventually bridge Luzon, Visayas and 
Mindanao via rail.
In view of the foregoing, this representation earnestly seeks your support for 
the approval of this bill.
. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1751
Senate
oC tijf gsi
23 JAN 24 PI :17
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RAILWAY SYSTEM IN THE 
EASTERN VISAYAS REGION, FROM ORMOC CITY,
TO BAYBAY CITY, MAASIN CITY AND TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN 
RICARDO IN THE PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Ormoc-Southern 
Leyte Railway Act of2023".
SEC. 2. Establishment of the Ormoc-Southern Leyte Railway System. - There 
shall be established a railway system in the Eastern Visayas Region under the 
administration of the Philippine National Railways, from Ormoc City, to Baybay City, to 
Maasin City, and to the Municipality of San Ricardo in the Province of Southern Leyte. 
The Central Station of said railway system shall be located in Ormoc City.
SEC. 3. Route, Alignment, Safety and Efficiency of the Ormoc-Southern Leyte 
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 the following:
(A) A comprehensive study of the Ormoc-Southern Leyte Railway System to 
determine the most feasible and optimal route, taking into consideration the 
agro-industrial, tourism and ecozone transportation and freight infrastructure 
needs of Ormoc City, Isabel and Baybay City.


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(B) Conduct a study on various modern locomotive technology, including those 
utilizing either electricity or diesel, to offer options that produce negative carbon 
transportation, as well as high efficiency;
(C) Conduct an immediate technical study on the safety, efficiency, resiliency 
and disaster preparedness of the railway system; and
(D) Prepare a sound land expropriation plan, including but not limited to land 
surveys that provides for fair acquisition prices as well as proper relocation
of displaced families
SEC. 4. Establishment of Ormoc-Southern Leyte 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 Ormoc-Southern Leyte Railway System.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Transportation, 
in consultation with the Ormoc-Southern Leyte 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 Ormoc-Southern Leyte Railway Working 
Group.
SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,