Marcos directs DOTr to secure broadband deal with Smart for NSCR

President Marcos has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to secure a broadband co-sharing partnership with Smart Communications for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project.

During a meeting in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on Friday, Feb. 28, Marcos emphasized the importance of dialogue with Smart's CEO Manny Pangilinan to resolve the broadband frequency issue and appealed to Smart to provide some broadband for the NSCR.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that initial talks with Smart have taken place and assured Marcos that resolving the signaling system issue is a priority, expressing optimism about reaching a quick resolution.

The NSCR is expected to connect Clark, Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna by 2026, serving up to 800,000 passengers daily and significantly reducing travel time.