March 2, 2025 – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to finalize a broadband co-sharing agreement with Smart Communications, Inc. to support the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos emphasized the urgency of addressing broadband frequency issues for the railway’s signaling system. He urged Smart’s chairman and CEO, Manny Pangilinan, to collaborate on a resolution.
“We are appealing to Smart to provide us a little broadband so we can use it on the commuter railway,” the President said during a meeting in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that securing the railway’s signaling system is a priority and expressed optimism about reaching a swift agreement with Smart.
NSCR: A Game-Changer for Mass Transit
The 147-kilometer railway, spanning Calamba, Laguna, to Clark, Pampanga, is expected to cut travel time between the two points from four hours to just two. The system features 51 train sets modeled after Japan’s railway technology.
Upon completion in 2026, the NSCR is projected to serve 800,000 passengers daily, significantly improving public transportation in Luzon.