WHEREAS, the thrust to decongest Metro Manila through railway and road projects and the establishment of new government centers is of paramount importance in the present administration;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a national railway system will be consistent with the rejuvenation and reengineering of physical frameworks;

WHEREAS, the project implementation is faced with six issues needing resolution, namely (1) the dangers posed by the existing railway system, (2) the stability of current bridges needing repairs, (3) standardization of the track gauge, (4) compatibility of the signaling and communication systems of the Northrail and the Southrail, (5) interconnection of the light railway systems at Magallanes, and (6) relocation of informal settlers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Lead Agency. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) shall be the lead agency for the long term implementation of the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project (South Manila Commuter Line).

SEC. 2. Tasks. The DOTC is hereby tasked to study relevant issues and propose measures concerning:

1. The continued danger posed by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) train on the public and private vehicles using the 97 level/road crossings: 46 from Caloocan to Alabang and 51 from Alabang to Calamba.
   
   
2. The repair of 76 bridges, 37 of which are found from Caloocan to Alabang and 39 from Alabang to Calamba.
   
   
3. The standardization of track gauge. The retention of the narrow ˜gauge ™ vis- -vis its replacement with ˜standard gauge ™.
   
   
4. The compatibility of the signaling and communication systems of the Northrail and the Southrail.
   
   
5. Interconnection of Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Northrail at Sangandaan and MRT & PNR at Magallanes, and the extension of LRT, MRT and PNR to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Manila Domestic Airport.
   
   
6. The relocation of informal settlers.

SEC. 3. Agency Support. The DOTC shall coordinate the integrated assistance by seeking technical, financial and administrative support from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine National Railways (PNR), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), National Housing Authority (NHA), Representatives from the Cities of Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, Taguig, Muntinlupa, and Calamba, and a Representative from the Province of Laguna.

SEC. 4. Report. The DOTC, by itself or through the agencies mentioned in Section 3 hereof, shall submit an initial report and recommendation to the Office of the President not later than two (2) months after it has convened.

SEC. 5. Assistance. The DOTC is hereby authorized to call upon all other agencies whose assistance and support may be deemed necessary to the effective performance of all these functions, and said agencies are hereby directed to extend full cooperation thereto.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 27th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.


By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary