By RIO ROSE RIBAYA (MANILA BULLETIN)
Several lawmakers at the House of Representatives have moved to establish a railway system that would not only enhance linkages between rural and urban centers but also provide an actual chance for the evasive peace to finally stay in Mindanao.
However, other legislators immediately expressed worry that the 15th Congress may ignore the bill seeking to create the Mindanao Railways Corporation (MRC) among the thousands of bills with the anticipated passage of the Fiscal Priority bill.
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed House Bill Nos. 561 and 734, which seek to create a corporation that will provide railroad and cheaper transportation system that will criss-cross Mindanao.
“The railroad will also hopefully connect the major urban centers and provincial capitals such as the cities of Davao, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Marawi, Pagadian, and Dipolog. Many of these areas are booming,” Angara said.
He explained that the proposed railway system, which will cost between P1 to P1.2 billion, will be a long way in convincing residents in Mindanao that the national government sincerely cares for them and is willing to exert efforts in bringing projects that will bolster the region’s economy.
However, Angara expressed apprehension that the House leadership may not be able to approve the proposed measure after President Aquino urged the 15th Congress not to enact revenue-eroding bills without identifying source of funding.
“That’s our problem. We have to change our approach and we have to find a source of funds for the measure. Our second option is to amend the appropriation provision when the appropriate committee conducts hearing for the bill,” Angara told the Manila Bulletin.
The veteran solon noted that the appropriation provisions, half of 2,561 bills already filed in the House of Representatives also needs to be amended so as to be prioritized in the 15th Congress.
However, Rodriguez said that the four bills seeking the creation of railway lines in Mindanao have high probability of being enacted into a law, noting that the measure he authored already identifies other fundings other than the national budget.
