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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

717

HOUSE BILL NO.

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 bi is earnestly requested.

TORR! (OMEZ

Fourth District of Leyte


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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__717 _

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 2019.”

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 serviced
by the railroad. The said departments and agency shall also conduct an
immediate technical study on the safety, efficiency and resiligncy of the
railway system, including the preparation of the necessary land Surveys for
areas to be acquired under the program, taking into 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. ;

t
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,