President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assured Filipinos that the government would strive to modernize and improve the country's transportation system as he witnessed the signing of a new railway project between the Philippines and Japan on Friday, March 3. Marcos said this after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Mitsubishi Corporation signed the Contract Package NS-01 (CP NS-01) Electromechanical Systems and Track Works for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System in Malacañang. In a speech, the President renewed his commitment to building a better transportation system in the Philippines. "I  assure the Filipino people that the government will strive to modernize and improve the country's transportation system," he said. "This will be one of the cornerstones of our progress as we move full speed ahead into a brighter tomorrow," he added. Marcos thanked Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Mitsubishi Corporation for "being active partners in the country’s infrastructure development." "Japan serves as a key inspiration for the Philippines for having an efficient rail transport system. So I thank Mitsubishi Corp. for working with the Philippine government," he said. "We thank you for your unwavering support of the aspirations of our countrymen," he added. For his part, Nihei Daisuke, Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan, said Japan will always be the Philippines' "committed partner" in realizing a more prosperous economy and brighter future.

NOW: President Marcos delivers a speech following the signing of the Contract Package NS-01 Electromechanical Systems and Track Works for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System in Malacañang. (📸 RTVM Screenshot) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/T32Ui2t32e

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) March 3, 2023

According to the President, the signing of CP NS-01 writes a new chapter in realizing infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy. "Beyond improving our transportation system, the implementation of civil works for the CP NS-01 will also generate thousands of jobs for Filipinos during construction," Marcos said. "We recognize the fact that an efficient transportation system will have a multiplier effect on employment and on the economy," he added. President Marcos expressed hope that the DOTr and the Mitsubishi Corp. "will not waiver in their commitment" to finish the project by 2028. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive said the signing of the CP NS-01 would strengthen weaknesses in the supply chain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine. The CP NS-01 includes the procurement of railway infrastructure projects for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project and the North-South Railway Project - South Line (Commuter), collectively known as the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project. The contract package includes railway tracks, turnouts, track sleepers, power supply and distribution systems, signaling systems, automated fare collection, computerized management maintenance, and platform screen doors, among other essentials for railway safety and operations. When completed, the NSCR will significantly reduce travel time between Clark International Airport and Calamba City, Laguna, and will feature 35 stations designed to provide safe access for passengers with its disaster-resilient infrastructure design.