Plan to transport trash through trains backed

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has backed the proposal of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando to transport garbage through Philippine National Railways (PNR) trains.

DOTC spokesman Thompson Lantion said that Fernando’s proposal was "good" but there must be a clear-cut policy on how the scheme would be implemented.

"If that’s what it takes to ease the garbage problem, we’ll support him. We just hope to know the mechanics, like where the garbage will be brought and who will set up the transfer stations," he said.

The DOTC and the MMDA are presently working closely to solve the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila.

For a starter, the two agencies have recently created a technical working group that would assess and come up with strategies to ease the traffic congestion.

"The DOTC is willing to work with MMDA again to help resolve the garbage problem. Anything that will provide relief to the public, we could be counted in," Lantion added.

This developed as DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza directed the PNR, an agency attached to the DOTC, to improve its railroad crossings’ warning devices and signs to prevent accidents.

Lantion said that Mendoza wanted all crossings to have the required bells and alarms to warn motorists of oncoming trains.

He made an appeal to the public to observe caution at railroad crossings and not to deliberately defy warning signals.

Most railroad accidents in the past involved squatters living along the PNR tracks. Last June 30, a 28-year-old woman was killed after she was sideswiped by a train while standing in front of her house at the PNR South line in Baranggay Bangkal, Makati.

Under PNR regulations, no houses or establishments should be put up within five meters from the tracks. But this has not been observed by squatter-families who have mushroomed on PNR properties.

Lantion admitted it was not easy to uproot the squatters along the PNR tracks. At present the law requires the provision of relocation and livelihood for displaced squatters. "This (relocation of squatters) is not an easy task. We have to coordinate with various agencies like the local government units and the National Housing Authority. We’ll look into this," he added. – Sheila Crisostomo