IN a bid to alleviate the Philippine economy, reduce traffic congestion, enhance connectivity, reduce carbon emissions and enhance food security across the archipelago, the Philippines announces an unprecedented railway development plan. Spearheaded by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, this development plan aims to modernize and significantly expand the country's railway network.

One of the two major railway flagship projects to be unveiled soon is the North Luzon Railway Project, also known as 'The Amianan Express,' with an approximately 1300-kilometer (km) high-speed and commuter lines connecting the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga to Cagayan Export Zone in Cagayan Valley and 12 other provinces in the region.