Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan (Facebook

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has brought his clarion all for the revival of the "Bicol Express" rail line before his House colleages in plenary. 

In a privilege speech Tuesday, Nov. 7, Yamsuan said "the renaissance of the Bicol Express line"--which the Philippine National Railways (PNR) used to operate from Manila to Albay--“will serve not only as an economic driver, but as a powerful engine that would bridge communities and realize dreams, while safeguarding the heritage of the Bicolanos". 

As such, he called on his House of Representatives colleagues to support the reconstruction of the once-famed Bicol Express. 

“I trust that we will be united behind this cause, as we build a future where our railways bind our nation's provinces to the heart of Metro Manila, propelling us toward greater inclusivity and prosperity,” said Yamsuan, a rookie congressman in the 19th Congress. 

Yamsuan renewed his call for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to consider adopting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode in implementing the project under the current Marcos administration. 

He said the DOTr’s decision to scrap Official Development Assistance (ODA) from China as a funding source for the project opens the opportunity for the government to access more cost-effective means of modernizing the Bicol Express that could potentially result in lower implementation costs, “making the project even more feasible and impactful". 

“Ang kailangan po natin ay express na solusyon at express din na aksyon. Panahon na po upang ibalik sa mapa ang Bicol sa pamamagitan ng muling pagbuhay sa Bicol Express,” he said. 

(What we need is an express solution and express action. It’s about time that we bring back Bicol on the map through the rebirth of the Bicol Express). 

Yamsuan is pushing for the implementation of Phase 1 of the DOTr’s South Long Haul project, which involves the reconstruction of the Bicol Express line from Banlic in Laguna to Daraga in Albay. 

According to Yamsuan, the old Bicol Express line “served as a lifeline—not just for Bicolanos, but for the families and communities residing in the vast embrace of South Luzon". 

Despite the railway’s historical and cultural significance and its boundless potential for economic growth, its infrastructure had been neglected over the years, which eventually led to the permanent cessation of its operations in 2014. 

Yamsuan noted that a reconstructed and modern Bicol Express running at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour would shorten travel time from Banlic, Calamba in Laguna to Daraga in Albay from the usual 12 hours to just four hours. 

“Complemented by an international airport, I am certain that the Bicol Express will help transform the region into Luzon’s gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao,” he said. 

Yamsuan said the reconstruction of the rail line is also expected to create over 5,000 direct jobs during its construction and thousands more in related areas upon its completion, boost Bicols tourism industry, and contribute to the Philippines’ global commitment to fight climate change. 

He said the Bicol Express, which like other railways, plays an important role in sustaining development both in  rural and urban areas, could prove to be the “single, most impactful project” that would set the stage for improving the lives of Bicolanos. 

“The government should provide opportunities that would elevate the quality of life of every Bicolano. Rehabilitating and reopening the Bicol Express is the single, most impactful project that I believe would achieve this goal,” he added.