President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday directed the Department of Transportation to secure a broadband co-sharing agreement with Smart Communications Inc. for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
During a meeting with the Regional Development Council III, Marcos emphasized the need for a discussion with Smart Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan to address broadband frequency issues affecting the NSCR’s signaling system.
“It’s been left hanging for quite a while, and knowing Smart and Manny, we can talk to them. We’ll find a way,” Mr. Marcos told DOTr officials.
“We’re asking Smart to give back even a little broadband so we can use it for the commuter railway,” he added.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said he had already discussed the matter with Pangilinan and Smart, noting that resolving the signaling system issue is a priority.
“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,” Dizon said.
The NSCR, a 147-kilometer mass transit system connecting Clark, Pampanga, to Calamba, Laguna, is expected to be completed in 2026.
Once operational, it will accommodate up to 800,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time between Pampanga and Laguna to under two hours.