The head of the Department of Transportation wants displaced drivers, conductors of public utility vehicles as well as overseas Filipino workers to be hired and work in DOTr projects, such as the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 Project.
Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said some former 200 OFWs are now working in the project as he encouraged more displaced OFWs to join.
Tugade also called on other displaced workers in the transport sector, including PUV drivers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, to work in DOTr projects.
At least 7,500 workers were employed during the construction of the rail project, while 2,000 additional jobs would be made available once it became operational, said Tugade.
The PNR Clark Phase 1, the railway system that will connect Tutuban in Manila and Malolos in Bulacan, is now at 45.82 percent overall progress rate.
Upon completion, the 38-kilometer rail line aims to carry 300,000 passengers daily, and shorten travel time from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila in just 35 minutes from 1 hour and 30 minutes.