PBBM wants DOTr-Smart tie-up for NSCR signaling system

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

During the meeting, Marcos stressed the need for a dialogue with Smart Communications chairperson and chief executive officer Manny Pangilinan to resolve the problem of broadband frequency for the NSCR signaling system. (File Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to secure the broadband co-sharing partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. to address the frequency issues besetting the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project.

Marcos gave the directive in a meeting with the Regional Development Council 3 (Central Luzon) in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Friday, according to a news release by the Presidential Communications Office on Saturday.

During the meeting, Marcos stressed the need for a dialogue with Smart Communications chairperson and chief executive officer Manny Pangilinan to resolve the problem of broadband frequency for the NSCR signaling system.

“It’s been left hanging for quite a while and knowing Smart and Manny, nakakausap naman natin [sila] (we have been talking to them). We’ll just find a way to it,” the President told DOTr officials.

“Nakikiusap tayo sa Smart na kahit na kaunting broadband ipamigay nila, ibalik nila sa atin para magamit ng commuter railway (We are asking Smart to give even a small broadband so it could be used by the commuter railway).”

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon assured Marcos that securing the signaling system is on top of the department’s agenda, adding that he has spoken to Pangilinan.

“This was the top item on the agenda and based on my initial talks with Smart, I think we can come to a quick resolution to this,” Dizon said.

The NSCR is a 147-km. mass transit system that connects Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna.

It is expected to serve up to 800,000 passengers daily and cut travel time from Pampanga to Laguna to less than two hours once completed in 2026.