President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday declared the country is in the middle of a “railway renaissance,” as he touted the progress of different rail line projects.

In his third State of the Nation Address, the President reported that the Metro Manila Subway Project has logged significant accomplishments in its tunneling works.

“Sa puntong ito, katumbas na ng tatlo hanggang anim na palapag ang lalim na nahukay, at tuloy-tuloy,” he said.

Meanwhile, other railway projects, such as the MRT (Metro Rail Transit)-7 and the North-South Commuter Railway, are also progressing, he said.

“We will make sure that the right of way issues are resolved in the most equitable, efficient, and expeditious manner, so that these will not get in the way of our infrastructure development,” the President stated.

The President said the extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 to Sucat will be opened to the public this year.

“Bilang bahagi ng LRT 1 Cavite Extension project, ang ruta ng LRT Line 1 sa Metro Manila ay madadagdagan mula sa Baclaran hanggang Sucat. Bubuksan ito sa publiko sa loob ng taong ito. At sa ilang taon, aabot na ang linya na ito hanggang Bacoor,” he said.

The President also touted in his SONA the purchase of new trains for LRT 1.

“Nagdagdag din tayo ng pitumpu’t anim na bago at modernong mga tren sa LRT 1 upang mas dumami, bumilis, at maging mas kumportable ang biyahe ng mga pasahero,” he stated.

President Marcos also announced the PNR Bicol Line was recently opened to the public.

“Kamakailan lamang, binuksan naman nating muli sa publiko ang PNR Bicol Line na may habang isandaang kilometro, mula Naga hanggang sa Legazpi,” he said. PND