BICOL Saro Partylist Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan on Tuesday called on his colleagues in Congress to support the reconstruction of the once-famed Bicol Express rail line, as a testament to their commitment to champion development strategies that broaden access to opportunities and resources for all Filipinos.

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.”

In a privilege speech urging his fellow lawmakers to support his call for the revival of the Bicol Express line, Yamsuan highlighted the benefits and opportunities that the project would deliver for the people of Bicol and nearby regions.

These include providing commuters with a fast, safe, affordable, and comfortable mode of transport going to and from Bicol; accelerating economic growth and creating more jobs and livelihood opportunities in the region; boosting tourism; and reducing the country’s carbon footprint.

“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 in his speech delivered on Tuesday afternoon (November 7, 2023).

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

“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.

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.”

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.”

But 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 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.

“Karaniwan na pong Oragon ang tawag sa mga Bicolano. They have rightfully earned this appellation owing to their fighting spirit, their resilience, and their determination to succeed,” Yamsuan said.

“But being an Oragon is not enough to empower them. 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.

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 about only 4 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 Bicol Express 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.

Citing a study done by the World Bank, Yamsuan said trains, whether diesel- or electric-powered, are more energy efficient and generate lower emissions per passenger and per ton of goods than almost all other vehicles on the road.

“Therefore, even if the Bicol Express were to run on diesel again, it would still have a lesser impact on our carbon footprint than gasoline-powered cars and trucks traversing the same route,” Yamsuan noted.

Yamsuan also cited a separate study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which found that while rail accounts for 8 percent of the world’s motorized passenger movement and 7 percent of freight transport, it uses just 2 percent of the world’s transport energy demand.