Decent housing assured for over 3,600 families displaced by PNR project in Laguna, Quezon
More than 3,600 families who will be affected by the construction of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Project in Laguna and Quezon provinces are guaranteed with housing units, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday, Oct. 11.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said there will be a total of 3,651 housing units that will be available for the affected residents and will be constructed in San Pablo City in Laguna, and Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Pagbilao in the province of Quezon.
The housing projects, he said, costs P2.83 billion.
“The government will build highly livable communities, complete with schools, markets, hospitals, transport hubs and livelihood opportunities for affected residents,” said Bautista during the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday in San Pablo, Laguna.
The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, the entire PNR South Long Haul Project is a 577-kilometer and 33-station rail connection from Metro Manila to Batangas and Bicol.
Once completed, the rail line will reduce travel time from Manila to Legazpi from the present 14-18 hours to six hours, using regular commuter trains and 4.5 hours, using the line's express trains.
Bautista said the rail project will benefit not only passengers but also residents of communities situated along and near the rail line.
"This project will guarantee a comfortable travel experience for all while at the same time, the travel time will be fast from one place to another,” said Bautista.
The housing project is in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the National Housing Authority (NHA), and the provincial governments of Laguna and Quezon.