LOOK: Senatorial candidate Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito greets supporters at a local campaign rally in Manila City.
MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday said the construction of the Mindanao Railway will bring economic growth to rural communities throughout the island of Mindanao.
“For the first time in history, magkakaroon tayo ng railway system dito sa Mindanao. At hindi lang ‘yan for passengers. Passenger and cargo ‘yan. We will spread out the development. Di lang Cagayan de Oro at Davao ang growth areas,” he said in an interview with Brigada News FM Davao.
“Lahat ng probinsyang dadaanan nito will become growth development areas. Magkakaroon ng trabaho at hanapbuhay sa buong Kamindanawan,” he added.
By promoting economic development and generating new jobs along the project’s route, Ejercito said the Mindanao Railway will discourage armed conflict on the island.
“This will bring genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao dahil sisigla na ang ekonomiya ng buong Mindanao,” he said.
Ejercito was one of the project’s staunchest defenders during his first term in the Senate.
Should he return to the Senate after the May general elections, he said he will push for the creation of a comprehensive master plan that will guide the government’s infrastructure and transportation programs in the next few decades.
“Ang nais kong isulong, kung sakaling ako ay palarin, yung comprehensive master plan for infrastructure development and transport modernization,” he said.
“Itong nais ko, kahit na sinong umupong Pangulo, ito po ang susundin nating blueprint. Siyempre, may sari-sarili silang programa at pet projects. Pero ang infrastructure development should continue,” he said.
Ejercito previously lauded the Build, Build, Build program, President Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship infrastructure development initiative.