Pangasinan urges government to push through Northrail project

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial board of Pangasinan is strongly urging the national government to resolve the issues raised against the implementation of the proposed $503-million North Luzon Railways (Northrail) project.

The national government has previously unveiled plans to construct and operate an improved railway system that will service provinces north of Metro Manila and eventually the province of Pangasinan.

Board member John Agerico Rosario said that there are several foreign and local funding institutions with sufficient resources and technical competence that have expressed willingness to enter into a joint venture with the national government to undertake the project.

The project, he added, has long been awaited by commuters and travelers to and from northern Luzon who are looking for an alternative transportation system that is faster, safer, more efficient, and more environment friendly.

The Northrail project, to be jointly financed by a $395.22 million loan from the China Import-Export Bank and $107.8 million from the Bases Conversion Development Authority, however, hit a snag due to questions about the cost and problems on the relocation of affected residents.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan feels that it is most unfortunate that despite the completion of workable plans and designs, the availability of financing for its implementation, and its patent acceptability to all concerned sectors, the project is being derailed by allegations of improprieties in how costs for its various components are valued and how the national government’s venture partner will be chosen.