Marcos Directs DOTr to Secure Broadband Deal for North-South Commuter Railway

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to finalize a broadband-sharing agreement with Smart Communications, Inc. to support the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) signaling system.

During a meeting in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, Marcos emphasized the urgency of securing broadband frequency, stating that discussions with Smart Chairman and CEO Manny Pangilinan should resolve the issue.

“We are appealing to Smart to provide us with some broadband so we can use it for the commuter railway,” Marcos said.

Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured that resolving the broadband issue is a priority, and initial discussions with Smart indicate a potential quick resolution.

The NSCR is a 147-kilometer mass transit system stretching from Calamba, Laguna, to Clark, Pampanga, aiming to cut travel time between the two cities from four hours to just two. Once completed in 2026, it is expected to serve 800,000 passengers daily with Japan-inspired train sets.