The advance site clearing works that will expedite succeeding construction of the Philippines’ new railway network North-South Commuter Railway project (NSCR) is now a go, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said in a statement.
“We will continue supporting the Philippine government’s efforts to ensure that the future generation reaps the benefit of an integrated, seamless, and resilient transport infrastructure system through the NSCR project,“ said JICA chief representative Susumu Ito during the ceremony declaring the start of the clearing operations said over the weekend.
Last year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) officially marked the railway stations in Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and Valenzuela, Caloocan and Tutuban in Metro Manila.
Shortly after the marking of the stations, the DOTr awarded the contract of the construction supervision consulting services for the project to NS Tren, a consortium led by Tokyo-based Oriental Consultants Global.
JICA also confirmed that contractors will be paid using the Japanese loan.
The DOTr has also partnered with local government units (LGUs) to address right-of-way acquisitions so the construction can begin on time.
Ito said the start of work includes clearing the site, grading of unleveled surfaces and demolition of obstructing structures of the NSCR, a 38-kilometer railway.
Along with the Metro Manila Subway Project, NSCR is part of the mass transit backbone forming the North-South Corridor as specified in the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development Study for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) conducted the said study with the assistance of JICA.
JICA has also recently handed the detailed engineering design of the project to DOTr, signaling the project’s transition from planning to actual construction.
The JICA official reiterated that the project is a “game changer” in Philippine transport infrastructure, helping the country to kick-start the Duterte administration’s large-scale investments in modern railways.
The new railway will also use Japanese seismic designs to ensure commuter safety low and emission electric trains for sustainability.
The 3-billion dollar project aims for completion within the remaining years of the Duterte administration and is expected to reduce travel time from the traditional land travel of two hours to just merely 35 minutes from Malolos in Bulacan to Tutuban in Manila.
“We will continue supporting the Philippine government’s efforts to ensure that the future generation reaps the benefit of an integrated, seamless, and resilient transport infrastructure system through the NSCR project,“ said JICA chief representative Susumu Ito during the ceremony declaring the start of the clearing operations said over the weekend.
Last year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) officially marked the railway stations in Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and Valenzuela, Caloocan and Tutuban in Metro Manila.
Shortly after the marking of the stations, the DOTr awarded the contract of the construction supervision consulting services for the project to NS Tren, a consortium led by Tokyo-based Oriental Consultants Global.
JICA also confirmed that contractors will be paid using the Japanese loan.
The DOTr has also partnered with local government units (LGUs) to address right-of-way acquisitions so the construction can begin on time.
Ito said the start of work includes clearing the site, grading of unleveled surfaces and demolition of obstructing structures of the NSCR, a 38-kilometer railway.
Along with the Metro Manila Subway Project, NSCR is part of the mass transit backbone forming the North-South Corridor as specified in the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development Study for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) conducted the said study with the assistance of JICA.
JICA has also recently handed the detailed engineering design of the project to DOTr, signaling the project’s transition from planning to actual construction.
The JICA official reiterated that the project is a “game changer” in Philippine transport infrastructure, helping the country to kick-start the Duterte administration’s large-scale investments in modern railways.
The new railway will also use Japanese seismic designs to ensure commuter safety low and emission electric trains for sustainability.
The 3-billion dollar project aims for completion within the remaining years of the Duterte administration and is expected to reduce travel time from the traditional land travel of two hours to just merely 35 minutes from Malolos in Bulacan to Tutuban in Manila.
