The city government is mulling the reopening of the Loakan Airport, which ceased commercial operations in the 1990s, through a public-private partnership (PPP).
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he would meet with officials of the Department of Transportation on Wednesday (July 31) to discuss the proposal to reopen the airport for commercial operations.
“We are in the process of drafting a proposal which when agreed upon by the DOTr, the local government and DOTr would come up with an agreement that we will manage the facilities and the operation of the airport,” Magalong said on Tuesday.
Built in 1934, Loakan Airport is the only airport in the Cordillera. Prior to the 1990 earthquake, commercial airplanes serviced the city but stopped after the devastation brought about by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Luzon in 1990.
Magalong said once the city had been granted permission to operate the airport, it would enter into a PPP scheme with a private firm.
“We will look for a third party, a group that will fully oversee the management, will have direct management of the facility... agreement will be between the LGU and the third party,” he said.
Magalong also bared that he would meet with officials of PALExpress, a PAL subsidiary, after he had been initially approached regarding the plan to reopen the airport.
“Fina-fasttrack namin. Hopefully by next year, early next year, mapatakbo na natin 'yan, ma-open na natin 'yan (We are fasttracking and hopefully by early next year, we can open it [Loakan airport] and operate it again)," he said.
Once operational, the airport would cater only to domestic flights, a clamor of tourists who travel to Baguio.
Magalong said tourists were discouraged from going to Baguio due to the long hours of travel and the traffic congestion.
In 2017, the city government placed the rehabilitation of the Loakan Airport among its priorities. The same was carried by the Regional Development Council in its 2018 Regional Infrastructure Development Projects for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
On the first semester of 2018, officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines visited the airport to see if some upgrading could again make the facility viable for regular air travel.
At present, the Loakan Airport is being used by the Philippine Air Force and the presidential chopper, but not by commercial flights due to its small size, pedestrians near the site, and the upland fog that hinders night vision. (With Rithan Haize Dullona, OJT/PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1076486
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Monday, July 29, 2019
LRT 1 to close earlier
Train operating hours at the LRT 1 line will be modified to accommodate system upgrading works for the safety and reliability of service, the Light Rail Manila Corporation said on Sunday.
Effective July 29, the last LRT 1 train from Baclaran northbound will leave at 9:30 p.m. and from Roosevelt southbound at 9:45 p.m. daily.
The last trip of LRT1 was originally scheduled at 10 p.m. during weekdays.
The schedule of the first trip remains at 4:30 a.m. for either directions.
“The system upgrade and rehabilitation work will include the replacement of the auxiliary power supply and train control and monitoring system among many others,” said LRMC operations director Roberto San Jose.
“To be able to provide them a safe, reliable, efficient, and comfortable journey, we need to update and upgrade our signalling system,” he said.
The maintenance and rehabilitation work is set to be completed by October 2020.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/300973/lrt-1-to-close-earlier.html
Effective July 29, the last LRT 1 train from Baclaran northbound will leave at 9:30 p.m. and from Roosevelt southbound at 9:45 p.m. daily.
The last trip of LRT1 was originally scheduled at 10 p.m. during weekdays.
The schedule of the first trip remains at 4:30 a.m. for either directions.
“The system upgrade and rehabilitation work will include the replacement of the auxiliary power supply and train control and monitoring system among many others,” said LRMC operations director Roberto San Jose.
“To be able to provide them a safe, reliable, efficient, and comfortable journey, we need to update and upgrade our signalling system,” he said.
The maintenance and rehabilitation work is set to be completed by October 2020.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/300973/lrt-1-to-close-earlier.html
Thursday, July 25, 2019
DOTr completes 61 airport projects; building 4 railway projects
Halfway through the term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has completed 61 airport projects nationwide, with 100 more ongoing, Secretary Arthur P. Tugade announced.
The DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) built two international airports, including the country’s first eco-airport, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. They also built a new world-class passenger terminal building for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Currently, they are improving international airports in Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Kalibo and Laoag. They are also constructing the second Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of Clark International Airport and planning an additional runway.
Construction of the Sangley Airport in Cavite is now ongoing, 24/7, to meet the November, 2019 deadline for the start of general aviation and turboprop operations there.
The construction of the Bicol International Airport is more than halfway complete, todate and DOTr expects to open bids for the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan by the end of this month. Ormoc Airport has renovated its PTB and widened its runway “after years of neglect.”
A total of 21 commercial airports have achieved night ratings and 9 airports have been awarded with On-Time Performance (OTP) star ratings last year.
In the railway sector, the DOTr started the construction of four railway projects and continued two more.
The railway projects include the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension, the Common Station and the Metro Manila Subway.
The DOTr also continued two more railway projects that began during the previous administration – the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the LRT Line 2 East Extension.
Already, the Metro Manila Subway has broken ground this February, the MRT 7 is nearly halfway complete and the MRT3 rehabilitation has started. The LRT1 Cavite Extension has started construction after two decades of delay and the LRT2 east Extension will be completed before the end of next year.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 is now on full-blast construction with the procurement of new train sets underway. The PNR Bicol and Mindanao Railway projects will start construction soon.
In the maritime sector, the DOTr has built and started operations of one land port and completed 218 commercial and social/tourism port projects.
With three more years left under the Duterte administration, the DOTr has been working at top speed to deliver these projects and programs without sacrificing quality, knowing full well that Filipinos have been waiting for decades for such public service, according to Tugade.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/07/24/dotr-completes-61-airports-building-4-railway-projects/
The DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) built two international airports, including the country’s first eco-airport, the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. They also built a new world-class passenger terminal building for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Currently, they are improving international airports in Davao, General Santos, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Kalibo and Laoag. They are also constructing the second Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of Clark International Airport and planning an additional runway.
Construction of the Sangley Airport in Cavite is now ongoing, 24/7, to meet the November, 2019 deadline for the start of general aviation and turboprop operations there.
The construction of the Bicol International Airport is more than halfway complete, todate and DOTr expects to open bids for the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan by the end of this month. Ormoc Airport has renovated its PTB and widened its runway “after years of neglect.”
A total of 21 commercial airports have achieved night ratings and 9 airports have been awarded with On-Time Performance (OTP) star ratings last year.
In the railway sector, the DOTr started the construction of four railway projects and continued two more.
The railway projects include the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension, the Common Station and the Metro Manila Subway.
The DOTr also continued two more railway projects that began during the previous administration – the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the LRT Line 2 East Extension.
Already, the Metro Manila Subway has broken ground this February, the MRT 7 is nearly halfway complete and the MRT3 rehabilitation has started. The LRT1 Cavite Extension has started construction after two decades of delay and the LRT2 east Extension will be completed before the end of next year.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 is now on full-blast construction with the procurement of new train sets underway. The PNR Bicol and Mindanao Railway projects will start construction soon.
In the maritime sector, the DOTr has built and started operations of one land port and completed 218 commercial and social/tourism port projects.
With three more years left under the Duterte administration, the DOTr has been working at top speed to deliver these projects and programs without sacrificing quality, knowing full well that Filipinos have been waiting for decades for such public service, according to Tugade.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/07/24/dotr-completes-61-airports-building-4-railway-projects/
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Bill renewing ABS-CBN franchise refiled in House
A bill that would grant TV network ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise has been refiled in the House of Representatives, seven months before its existing legislative franchise expires.
Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago, who also filed the bill in the previous Congress, refiled the measure a day after the 18th Congress opened.
“In acknowledgement of ABS-CBN’s accomplishments and the capital requirements of its operations, the immediate renewal of its original franchise which expires on March 30, 2020, is recommended to ensure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its services to the Filipino people,” Violago said in filing House Bill No. 676.
The renewal of the franchise of the listed broadcasting company did not pass in the 17th Congress, where the measure remained pending in the committee from 2016 until it adjourned in June.
ABS-CBN could be forced to shut down if it fails to secure a fresh 25-year franchise from Congress, which is currently dominated by President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies.
The TV network, among the largest in the country, had 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees and 3,325 talents at the end of 2018, according to its report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
ABS-CBN has earned the ire of Duterte for supposedly failing to air his campaign ad.
He has threatened to veto the renewal of the TV network’s franchise.
Along with ABS-CBN, Duterte has also attacked other media outfits, including broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer and online news site Rappler.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/7/24/Bill-renewing-ABS-CBN-franchise-refiled-in-House.html
Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago, who also filed the bill in the previous Congress, refiled the measure a day after the 18th Congress opened.
“In acknowledgement of ABS-CBN’s accomplishments and the capital requirements of its operations, the immediate renewal of its original franchise which expires on March 30, 2020, is recommended to ensure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its services to the Filipino people,” Violago said in filing House Bill No. 676.
The renewal of the franchise of the listed broadcasting company did not pass in the 17th Congress, where the measure remained pending in the committee from 2016 until it adjourned in June.
ABS-CBN could be forced to shut down if it fails to secure a fresh 25-year franchise from Congress, which is currently dominated by President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies.
The TV network, among the largest in the country, had 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees and 3,325 talents at the end of 2018, according to its report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
ABS-CBN has earned the ire of Duterte for supposedly failing to air his campaign ad.
He has threatened to veto the renewal of the TV network’s franchise.
Along with ABS-CBN, Duterte has also attacked other media outfits, including broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer and online news site Rappler.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/7/24/Bill-renewing-ABS-CBN-franchise-refiled-in-House.html
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
C5 Southlink opens to motorists
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar announced on Tuesday the opening of the first section of the Cavitex C5 Southlink — the 2.2-kilometer flyover crossing South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) traversing Taguig and Pasay City.
“We are supportive of road engineering solutions for everyday problems. This is a vital project that will cut travel time in half from the usual 1.5 hours spent to cross from Villamor Airbase, Pasay area to Taguig City. With 3 lanes in each direction of this flyover, passage of the anticipated 8,000 vehicles will be eased when they use the flyover starting 8 p.m. sharp tonight.” Villar said in a statement.
The PHP1.6-billion C5 Link flyover is now accessible to vehicles plying between Fort Bonifacio, C.P. Garcia (C5), Taguig City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and Pasay City.
The alignment features the bridge that crosses Metro Manila Skyway (at-grade) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
The C5 Link flyover is expected to reduce vehicular traffic in Sales interchange near Villamor Airbase. The flyover is also expected to decongest SLEX East and West Service Roads and Edsa.
This is the second public-private partnership with Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation to open this year following the successful completion of the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 in February 2019.
Philippine Reclamation Authority general manager Janilo Rubiato also announced his support to the completion of the project.
“As a grantee of the franchise to operate the Manila – Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP), the PRA will continue to contribute to President Duterte’s aggressive infrastructure initiatives and the expansion programs of its joint venture partner CIC,” he said.
A promise of a better and more efficient road network awaits motorists and residents of neighboring cities when the 7.7-kilometer C5 Link Expressway comes to its full completion.
CIC president Roberto V. Bontia said he foresees Cavitex C5 Link Expressway to be the choice thoroughfare for about 50,000 vehicles daily as customers experience the ease of traveling south of the Metro Manila from Parañaque Toll Plaza to C5 in Taguig City in under 10 minutes.
“We take small but sure steps at a time, today we open our flyover, the construction of the next 2.1 km section between Merville and Sucat, Las Piñas City will soon start, and eventually connect to the Parañaque side of Cavitex by 2022,” Bontia said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075853
“We are supportive of road engineering solutions for everyday problems. This is a vital project that will cut travel time in half from the usual 1.5 hours spent to cross from Villamor Airbase, Pasay area to Taguig City. With 3 lanes in each direction of this flyover, passage of the anticipated 8,000 vehicles will be eased when they use the flyover starting 8 p.m. sharp tonight.” Villar said in a statement.
The PHP1.6-billion C5 Link flyover is now accessible to vehicles plying between Fort Bonifacio, C.P. Garcia (C5), Taguig City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and Pasay City.
The alignment features the bridge that crosses Metro Manila Skyway (at-grade) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
The C5 Link flyover is expected to reduce vehicular traffic in Sales interchange near Villamor Airbase. The flyover is also expected to decongest SLEX East and West Service Roads and Edsa.
This is the second public-private partnership with Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation to open this year following the successful completion of the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 in February 2019.
Philippine Reclamation Authority general manager Janilo Rubiato also announced his support to the completion of the project.
“As a grantee of the franchise to operate the Manila – Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP), the PRA will continue to contribute to President Duterte’s aggressive infrastructure initiatives and the expansion programs of its joint venture partner CIC,” he said.
A promise of a better and more efficient road network awaits motorists and residents of neighboring cities when the 7.7-kilometer C5 Link Expressway comes to its full completion.
CIC president Roberto V. Bontia said he foresees Cavitex C5 Link Expressway to be the choice thoroughfare for about 50,000 vehicles daily as customers experience the ease of traveling south of the Metro Manila from Parañaque Toll Plaza to C5 in Taguig City in under 10 minutes.
“We take small but sure steps at a time, today we open our flyover, the construction of the next 2.1 km section between Merville and Sucat, Las Piñas City will soon start, and eventually connect to the Parañaque side of Cavitex by 2022,” Bontia said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075853
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
DOTr says construction of LRT-2 extension project now 61% complete
The construction of the Light Rail Transit line 2 (LRT-2) East Extension Project is now 61 percent complete, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday.
The DOTr said the project, which will add four kilometers of railway tracks from Santolan in Pasig City to Masinag in Antipolo City, is already at 61.93% completion rate as of June 2019.
The LRT-2 extension project will feature two stations – the Emerald station, along Marcos highway and adjoining Gil Fernando and Felix Avenues, and the Masinag station, near Sumulong highway in Antipolo City, Rizal.
The DOTr said the building of the elevated viaduct is already 100 percent complete, while the design and build of the two additional stations are currently ongoing.
“The Emerald Station in Marikina is 89.51% complete while the Masinag Station in Antipolo is at 86.86% complete,” the agency added.
Once operational, it is expected to significantly reduce the travel time from Antipolo to Claro M. Recto in Manila to 40 minutes from the current three hours.
The DOTr is targeting to begin its operations by the fourth quarter of 2020.
https://www.untvweb.com/news/dotr-says-construction-of-lrt-2-extension-project-now-61-complete/
The DOTr said the project, which will add four kilometers of railway tracks from Santolan in Pasig City to Masinag in Antipolo City, is already at 61.93% completion rate as of June 2019.
The LRT-2 extension project will feature two stations – the Emerald station, along Marcos highway and adjoining Gil Fernando and Felix Avenues, and the Masinag station, near Sumulong highway in Antipolo City, Rizal.
The DOTr said the building of the elevated viaduct is already 100 percent complete, while the design and build of the two additional stations are currently ongoing.
“The Emerald Station in Marikina is 89.51% complete while the Masinag Station in Antipolo is at 86.86% complete,” the agency added.
Once operational, it is expected to significantly reduce the travel time from Antipolo to Claro M. Recto in Manila to 40 minutes from the current three hours.
The DOTr is targeting to begin its operations by the fourth quarter of 2020.
https://www.untvweb.com/news/dotr-says-construction-of-lrt-2-extension-project-now-61-complete/
Building the MRT 7 common station
 |
| Department of Transportation (DOTr) representatives join construction partners during a media tour of the partially completed facilities of the MRT 7 Common Station at the North Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday. Headed by EEI Corporation AVP Vicente Gaya, the partners and media were briefed and shown the main concourse, Levels 1 and 2 of the MRT 7, which are part of the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build project. |
MRT-7 partial operations to happen in 2021, not 2020 —DOTr
By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News
Commercial operations of the Metro Rail Transit System Line 7 (MRT-7) has been moved to 2021 from 2020, the Department of Transportation said on Wednesday, citing issues in right-of-way acquisitions.
“Para sa MRT-7 ang target natin partial operation will be end of 2021,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in a press conference.
The department initially set the commercial operations of MRT-7 to start in 2020.
The partial operation of the new mass rail transit system will start in the last quarter of 2021.
Batan noted they are facing “big challenges” in acquiring right-of-way properties for the project.
“Isa po doon sa pinakamalaking challenges in implementing our infrastructure projects is really right-of way-acquisition,” Batan said.
However, the contractor and concessionaire are supposedly doing their best to speed up the construction by “working on workables” to meet the 2021 target.
“Based on the availability noong right of way natin, at this point in time, on track tayo in achieving ‘yung partial operability target natin by 2021,” Batan said.
The project was conceptualized in 2001, with the budget approved in 2009 and in place in 2016.
“Ang catch up that we are doing … it spans almost two decades,” Batan said. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/701315/mrt-7-partial-operations-to-happen-in-2021-not-2020-dotr/story/
Commercial operations of the Metro Rail Transit System Line 7 (MRT-7) has been moved to 2021 from 2020, the Department of Transportation said on Wednesday, citing issues in right-of-way acquisitions.
“Para sa MRT-7 ang target natin partial operation will be end of 2021,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in a press conference.
The department initially set the commercial operations of MRT-7 to start in 2020.
The partial operation of the new mass rail transit system will start in the last quarter of 2021.
Batan noted they are facing “big challenges” in acquiring right-of-way properties for the project.
“Isa po doon sa pinakamalaking challenges in implementing our infrastructure projects is really right-of way-acquisition,” Batan said.
However, the contractor and concessionaire are supposedly doing their best to speed up the construction by “working on workables” to meet the 2021 target.
“Based on the availability noong right of way natin, at this point in time, on track tayo in achieving ‘yung partial operability target natin by 2021,” Batan said.
The project was conceptualized in 2001, with the budget approved in 2009 and in place in 2016.
“Ang catch up that we are doing … it spans almost two decades,” Batan said. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/701315/mrt-7-partial-operations-to-happen-in-2021-not-2020-dotr/story/
More trains coming; fleet to grow by more than 5 times
The government is planning to bolster the country’s fleet of operational train cars by more than five times by the end of the Duterte administration to boost connectivity and enable better and faster services across all rail networks nationwide.
Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the country’s rolling stock fleet of 221 operational train cars, also known as light rail vehicles or coaches, in 2016 is targeted to grow to more than 1,200 by 2022.
“As of today, we have already completed the order for an additional 369 additional train cars, with the 37 train cars of (the Philippine National Railways) starting delivery next month, 108 train cars for (Mass Rail Transit)-7 starting delivery toward the end of this year, 120 train cars for (Light Rail Transit)-1 starting delivery in the middle of 2020 and the 104 train cars for PNR Clark Phase 1 starting delivery in the fourth quarter of 2021,” Batan said.
In the next three months, the undersecretary said invitations to bid would also be published for three additional rolling stock contract packages for 600 additional train cars consisting of 304 commuter train cars for PNR Clark Phase 2 and PNR Calamba, 56 airport express train cars which will connect Clark International Airport to Makati in less than one hour and 240 for the country’s very first subway.
“Along with other orders that would be completed by 2020 for the 1,900-kilometer railway network that we are building throughout the country, under the leadership of Secretary (Arthur) Tugade, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would have expanded our rolling stock fleet from 221 in 2016 to more than 1,200 train cars by 2022,” he said.
The DOTr yesterday signed the P12.1-billion contract for Package 3 of the PNR Clark Phase 1 with the joint venture of Sumitomo Corp. and Japan Transport Engineering Co.
Contract Package 3 of the 37.6-kilometer mass transit project that will connect Malolos, Bulacan to the National Capital Region pertains to the manufacture and delivery of a rolling stock fleet with a total of 13 train sets comprising of eight cars per train set.
The rolling stock will be designed to have a capacity of 2,242 passengers per train set, capable of running at 120 kilometers per hour.
Tugade said the train cars were originally scheduled for full delivery by the last quarter of 2021, but he requested delivery by no later than the third quarter of 2021.
He said the earlier schedule of delivery would make sure that the partial operability of the PNR Clark Phase 1 project covering the portion of Malolos to Valenzuela will happen by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.
Contract Package 4 of the project, which entails electrical and mechanical works, is targeted to be awarded by yearend.
“So, by the end of the year, it is all systems go,” Tugade said.
Contract Package 1, which covers the construction of six stations – Solis, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao and Bocaue – and a depot, was signed last May 20 and is now in full swing.
Meanwhile, Contract Package 2 consists of the construction of three stations – Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos. Construction is in full blast as well after it was signed last Jan. 23.
Once the PNR Clark Phase 1 project is completed and fully operational by 2022, travel time from Manila to Bulacan will be reduced from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes, serving 300,000 passengers daily.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/17/1935446/more-trains-coming-fleet-grow-more-5-times
Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the country’s rolling stock fleet of 221 operational train cars, also known as light rail vehicles or coaches, in 2016 is targeted to grow to more than 1,200 by 2022.
“As of today, we have already completed the order for an additional 369 additional train cars, with the 37 train cars of (the Philippine National Railways) starting delivery next month, 108 train cars for (Mass Rail Transit)-7 starting delivery toward the end of this year, 120 train cars for (Light Rail Transit)-1 starting delivery in the middle of 2020 and the 104 train cars for PNR Clark Phase 1 starting delivery in the fourth quarter of 2021,” Batan said.
In the next three months, the undersecretary said invitations to bid would also be published for three additional rolling stock contract packages for 600 additional train cars consisting of 304 commuter train cars for PNR Clark Phase 2 and PNR Calamba, 56 airport express train cars which will connect Clark International Airport to Makati in less than one hour and 240 for the country’s very first subway.
“Along with other orders that would be completed by 2020 for the 1,900-kilometer railway network that we are building throughout the country, under the leadership of Secretary (Arthur) Tugade, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) would have expanded our rolling stock fleet from 221 in 2016 to more than 1,200 train cars by 2022,” he said.
The DOTr yesterday signed the P12.1-billion contract for Package 3 of the PNR Clark Phase 1 with the joint venture of Sumitomo Corp. and Japan Transport Engineering Co.
Contract Package 3 of the 37.6-kilometer mass transit project that will connect Malolos, Bulacan to the National Capital Region pertains to the manufacture and delivery of a rolling stock fleet with a total of 13 train sets comprising of eight cars per train set.
The rolling stock will be designed to have a capacity of 2,242 passengers per train set, capable of running at 120 kilometers per hour.
Tugade said the train cars were originally scheduled for full delivery by the last quarter of 2021, but he requested delivery by no later than the third quarter of 2021.
He said the earlier schedule of delivery would make sure that the partial operability of the PNR Clark Phase 1 project covering the portion of Malolos to Valenzuela will happen by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.
Contract Package 4 of the project, which entails electrical and mechanical works, is targeted to be awarded by yearend.
“So, by the end of the year, it is all systems go,” Tugade said.
Contract Package 1, which covers the construction of six stations – Solis, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao and Bocaue – and a depot, was signed last May 20 and is now in full swing.
Meanwhile, Contract Package 2 consists of the construction of three stations – Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos. Construction is in full blast as well after it was signed last Jan. 23.
Once the PNR Clark Phase 1 project is completed and fully operational by 2022, travel time from Manila to Bulacan will be reduced from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes, serving 300,000 passengers daily.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/17/1935446/more-trains-coming-fleet-grow-more-5-times
DOTr inks deal with Japanese JV on making of rail coaches for train coaches for Tutuban-Malolos railway
CLARK FREEPORT—The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its Japanese partners, the joint venture of Sumitomo Corp. and Japan Transport Engineering Co. (J-TREC), on Tuesday signed the contract for the manufacture of train coaches for Package 3: Rolling Stock of the PNR Clark Phase 1 Tutuban-Malolos at the Marriott Hotel here.
The P12.1-billion supply contract was signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and PNR Chairman Roberto Lastimoso for the government, and Sumitomo Corp. General Manager Hiroshi Karashima, and J-TREC President Takao Nishiyama.
Tugade said the plan is to have eight trains per set to be manufactured by their Japanese partners.
“So that if we have 13 sets, we have around 104 trains similar to those and the capacity is 2,200. These trains will be traveling from Tutuban to Clark to Calamba,” Tugade said.
“This is the reason we are all here today, to sign an agreement where the prototypes you see will come into fruition by 2021,” Tugade added, pointing to the miniature prototype displayed at the venue.
He said the contract that was signed indicated that the trains shall be delivered in full by the end of the last quarter of 2021.
However, he said he prodded their Japanese partners to deliver the trains by the third quarter of 2021 instead of the last quarter, so that the Tutuban-Clark-Calamba route can be realized at the end of the year 2021.
“Let me tell you that this morning, prior to entering this room, I talked to Mr. Nishiyama in the presence of Jica [Japan International Cooperation Agency] and we have agreed to do a fast-track mechanism so that the trains committed to be delivered on the fourth quarter of 2021 shall be delivered no later than the third quarter of 2021,” Tugade said.
“Why are we doing this? Why are we agreeing to fast-track the manufacture of these trains? Because I have promised the President that we will have the partial operability of the Tutuban-Clark-Calamba by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021,” he explained.
“If the trains will be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2021, then I cannot operate the trains before 2021,” he reasoned.
“So, today the first agenda that we talked about prior to our coming here is to [forge] an agreement in principle that we will strive to work together so that the trains will be delivered on the third quarter of 2021.” This, he added, will ensure the “partial operability of the Tutuban-Clark-Calamba route” by the end of 2021, Tugade said.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) broke ground on February 15, 2019. The 37.6-kilometer, elevated mass railway system will connect Malolos to Manila and will entail 10 stations.
The trains can run up to 120 kilometers per hour, and reduce the travel time between Manila and Bulacan from over one hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes once the system is fully operational by 2022.
The project is funded by Jica under a ¥241.991-billion or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.
The PNR Tutuban-Malolos line will be integrated with the PNR Malolos-Clark project and the PNR South Commuter—Manila to Calamba, Laguna, project—to form an integrated commuter railway system that will serve commuters traveling to, from, and within NCR, Region 3 and Region 4A.
The full interoperability of the entire PNR North-South Commuter Railway is expected to happen in 2023.
The signing was followed by the Japanese traditional ceremony, the Sake Barrel Breaking Ceremony, where Tugade made a toast to every guest with the traditional Japanese rice wine.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/17/dotr-inks-deal-with-japanese-jv-on-making-of-rail-coaches-for-train-coaches-for-tutuban-malolos-railway/
The P12.1-billion supply contract was signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and PNR Chairman Roberto Lastimoso for the government, and Sumitomo Corp. General Manager Hiroshi Karashima, and J-TREC President Takao Nishiyama.
Tugade said the plan is to have eight trains per set to be manufactured by their Japanese partners.
“So that if we have 13 sets, we have around 104 trains similar to those and the capacity is 2,200. These trains will be traveling from Tutuban to Clark to Calamba,” Tugade said.
“This is the reason we are all here today, to sign an agreement where the prototypes you see will come into fruition by 2021,” Tugade added, pointing to the miniature prototype displayed at the venue.
He said the contract that was signed indicated that the trains shall be delivered in full by the end of the last quarter of 2021.
However, he said he prodded their Japanese partners to deliver the trains by the third quarter of 2021 instead of the last quarter, so that the Tutuban-Clark-Calamba route can be realized at the end of the year 2021.
“Let me tell you that this morning, prior to entering this room, I talked to Mr. Nishiyama in the presence of Jica [Japan International Cooperation Agency] and we have agreed to do a fast-track mechanism so that the trains committed to be delivered on the fourth quarter of 2021 shall be delivered no later than the third quarter of 2021,” Tugade said.
“Why are we doing this? Why are we agreeing to fast-track the manufacture of these trains? Because I have promised the President that we will have the partial operability of the Tutuban-Clark-Calamba by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021,” he explained.
“If the trains will be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2021, then I cannot operate the trains before 2021,” he reasoned.
“So, today the first agenda that we talked about prior to our coming here is to [forge] an agreement in principle that we will strive to work together so that the trains will be delivered on the third quarter of 2021.” This, he added, will ensure the “partial operability of the Tutuban-Clark-Calamba route” by the end of 2021, Tugade said.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) broke ground on February 15, 2019. The 37.6-kilometer, elevated mass railway system will connect Malolos to Manila and will entail 10 stations.
The trains can run up to 120 kilometers per hour, and reduce the travel time between Manila and Bulacan from over one hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes once the system is fully operational by 2022.
The project is funded by Jica under a ¥241.991-billion or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.
The PNR Tutuban-Malolos line will be integrated with the PNR Malolos-Clark project and the PNR South Commuter—Manila to Calamba, Laguna, project—to form an integrated commuter railway system that will serve commuters traveling to, from, and within NCR, Region 3 and Region 4A.
The full interoperability of the entire PNR North-South Commuter Railway is expected to happen in 2023.
The signing was followed by the Japanese traditional ceremony, the Sake Barrel Breaking Ceremony, where Tugade made a toast to every guest with the traditional Japanese rice wine.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/17/dotr-inks-deal-with-japanese-jv-on-making-of-rail-coaches-for-train-coaches-for-tutuban-malolos-railway/
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
What the Philippines’ US$2.75 billion rail project means for commuters and the environment
The Malolos-Clark Railway Project spells hope for long-suffering Filipino commuters in Metro Manila and its suburbs. Expected to be ready in 2022, it could benefit 342,000 passengers per day and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60,000 tonnes a year.
It is 6 p.m. in the Philippines and while the majority of office workers are battling their way home through rush hour traffic, Nady Tanguan is heading to work.
Tanguan is a call center agent in Metro Manila, 37 kilometers south of the suburbs where she lives in Bulacan.
Her night shift does not start until 8pm, but she has to head out early to avoid her quick ride turning into a two-hour crawl.
Tanguan considers herself lucky: she has neighbours with regular office hours who wake up at the crack of dawn to beat the rush-hour gridlock going to the city that can last up to four hours daily.
“I get an average of four hours of sleep a day because of my job, but at least I get to avoid the traffic that regular workers face during the day,” said Tanguan, 35. “What can I do? I need to earn a living for my family.”
When she gets into the city centre, the quickest way to her office is a ride on an ageing jeepney, where she suffocates in its exhaust fumes.
Tanguan is just one of the millions of urban Filipinos who shuttle back and forth between the northern provinces and the Philippine capital.
Their commute could become a lot better in 2022, when a long-awaited rail line linking provinces in the outskirts of Metro Manila to the city centre is expected to begin operations.
The 54 km Malolos–Clark Railway Project will link Malolos, a suburb of Metro Manila, to the Clark economic zone, a thriving hub of urban development in Central Luzon.
The project is part of the larger North–South Commuter Railway, a suburban railway network spanning 163km from New Clark City in Tarlac province in the north to Calamba in Laguna province in the south of Manila.
The Malolos-Clark Railway will link to the Blumentritt Station in Manila, where an elevated interchange station will connect it with other railways in the city centre.
The new rail line could ferry about 342,000 passengers a day by 2025, reducing congestion on parallel roads by 10 per cent, estimated the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is loaning US$2.75 billion to the Philippines—the multi-lateral bank’s single largest infrastructure project financing to date.
Metro Manila has been identified as the megacity with the third worst traffic conditions in Southeast Asia, contributing to economic losses of at least US$53.6 million chalked up by the Philippines each day due to road congestion.
The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the Malolos-Clark Railway Project is expected to be equivalent to 60,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide per year, as commuters shift from cars, trucks and buses to rail-based public transport. Pollution has long been a public health risk in the archipelago, which has the third-highest number of deaths in the Asia Pacific due to air pollution. Some 98 per cent of passenger transport and 55 per cent of freight transport are by road.
The rail line will be elevated, reducing the risk of flooding during rains and typhoons. The project will also use pre-fabricated viaduct segments, which limit the need for land acquisition during construction and reduce the impact on communities living along the route.
The Malolos-Clark Railway will have seven stations: Blumentritt, Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, and Clark International Airport.
With trains running at up to 160km per hour, travel time between Metro Manila and Clark International Airport in Pampanga is expected to be slashed to one hour, compared to the current three-hour ride by bus.
“Lower income groups in particular will benefit from the time savings and affordability of [the railway] transport services with fares targeted at the same level as for buses in the same route,” Markus Roesner, principal transport specialist of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, told Eco-Business. “This will help non-Manila residents gain access to employment opportunities, education and social services.”
The project will also help to decongest Metro Manila by redirecting economic growth from Manila to Central Luzon, he added.
It is part of rising investment under President Rodrigo Duterte’s infrastructure programme called Build, Build, Build, which aims to increase public spending on infrastructure from 4.7 per cent this year to 7 per cent of gross domestic product by 2022.
On July 11, the ADB awarded an initial loan of US$1.3 billion to the Philippines for the project.
The loan will finance civil works like bridges, stations and viaducts for the elevated railway alignment as well as the tunnel going to the underground station for Clark International Airport.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency’s co-financing of US$2 billion will be used to buy trains and for electrical and mechanical systems.
Commuters like Tanguan are looking forward to a quick seamless commute.
“I hope our situation improves. As it is, I’m more stressed with traffic than my work,” she said.
https://www.eco-business.com/news/what-the-philippines-us275-billion-rail-project-means-for-commuters-and-the-environment/
It is 6 p.m. in the Philippines and while the majority of office workers are battling their way home through rush hour traffic, Nady Tanguan is heading to work.
Tanguan is a call center agent in Metro Manila, 37 kilometers south of the suburbs where she lives in Bulacan.
Her night shift does not start until 8pm, but she has to head out early to avoid her quick ride turning into a two-hour crawl.
Tanguan considers herself lucky: she has neighbours with regular office hours who wake up at the crack of dawn to beat the rush-hour gridlock going to the city that can last up to four hours daily.
“I get an average of four hours of sleep a day because of my job, but at least I get to avoid the traffic that regular workers face during the day,” said Tanguan, 35. “What can I do? I need to earn a living for my family.”
When she gets into the city centre, the quickest way to her office is a ride on an ageing jeepney, where she suffocates in its exhaust fumes.
Tanguan is just one of the millions of urban Filipinos who shuttle back and forth between the northern provinces and the Philippine capital.
Their commute could become a lot better in 2022, when a long-awaited rail line linking provinces in the outskirts of Metro Manila to the city centre is expected to begin operations.
The 54 km Malolos–Clark Railway Project will link Malolos, a suburb of Metro Manila, to the Clark economic zone, a thriving hub of urban development in Central Luzon.
The project is part of the larger North–South Commuter Railway, a suburban railway network spanning 163km from New Clark City in Tarlac province in the north to Calamba in Laguna province in the south of Manila.
The Malolos-Clark Railway will link to the Blumentritt Station in Manila, where an elevated interchange station will connect it with other railways in the city centre.
The new rail line could ferry about 342,000 passengers a day by 2025, reducing congestion on parallel roads by 10 per cent, estimated the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is loaning US$2.75 billion to the Philippines—the multi-lateral bank’s single largest infrastructure project financing to date.
Metro Manila has been identified as the megacity with the third worst traffic conditions in Southeast Asia, contributing to economic losses of at least US$53.6 million chalked up by the Philippines each day due to road congestion.
The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the Malolos-Clark Railway Project is expected to be equivalent to 60,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide per year, as commuters shift from cars, trucks and buses to rail-based public transport. Pollution has long been a public health risk in the archipelago, which has the third-highest number of deaths in the Asia Pacific due to air pollution. Some 98 per cent of passenger transport and 55 per cent of freight transport are by road.
The rail line will be elevated, reducing the risk of flooding during rains and typhoons. The project will also use pre-fabricated viaduct segments, which limit the need for land acquisition during construction and reduce the impact on communities living along the route.
The Malolos-Clark Railway will have seven stations: Blumentritt, Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, and Clark International Airport.
With trains running at up to 160km per hour, travel time between Metro Manila and Clark International Airport in Pampanga is expected to be slashed to one hour, compared to the current three-hour ride by bus.
“Lower income groups in particular will benefit from the time savings and affordability of [the railway] transport services with fares targeted at the same level as for buses in the same route,” Markus Roesner, principal transport specialist of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, told Eco-Business. “This will help non-Manila residents gain access to employment opportunities, education and social services.”
The project will also help to decongest Metro Manila by redirecting economic growth from Manila to Central Luzon, he added.
It is part of rising investment under President Rodrigo Duterte’s infrastructure programme called Build, Build, Build, which aims to increase public spending on infrastructure from 4.7 per cent this year to 7 per cent of gross domestic product by 2022.
On July 11, the ADB awarded an initial loan of US$1.3 billion to the Philippines for the project.
The loan will finance civil works like bridges, stations and viaducts for the elevated railway alignment as well as the tunnel going to the underground station for Clark International Airport.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency’s co-financing of US$2 billion will be used to buy trains and for electrical and mechanical systems.
Commuters like Tanguan are looking forward to a quick seamless commute.
“I hope our situation improves. As it is, I’m more stressed with traffic than my work,” she said.
https://www.eco-business.com/news/what-the-philippines-us275-billion-rail-project-means-for-commuters-and-the-environment/
Government signs P12-b deal to buy Japanese trains for Malolos rail
The Department of Transportation said Tuesday it signed a P12.1-billion contract with the joint venture of Japan Transport Engineering Co. and Sumitomo Corp. to purchase trains for a rail system between Tutuban, Manila and Malolos, Bulacan.
The Tutuban-Malolos rail system represents Phase 1 of Philippine National Railways’ Clark Railway Project. Phase 2 will extend it from Malolos to Clark Freeport in Pampanga province.
Under the Phase 1 contract, J-Trec-Sumitomo will manufacture and deliver 13 train sets for a total of 104 cars with a capacity of 2,242 passengers per train. “The prototype trains will be delivered by the third quarter of 2021,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
Tugade said the partial operations from Valenzuela to Malolos were expected to start by the end of 2021.
PNR Clark Phase 1 is a 37.6-kilometer elevated mass railway from Tutuban to Malolos. It will have 10 stations in Tutuban, Solis, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiginto and Malolos. Taisei Corp. and D.M. Consunji Inc. will build the project.
Once operational by the fourth quarter of 2021, travel time from Manila to Malolos would be reduced from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. The rail line is also expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
PNR Clark Phase 1 is funded by official development assistance from Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency under a 241.991-billion-yen or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.
PNR Clark Phase 1 forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway Project―a mega rail network that aims to seamlessly integrate the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon through PNR Clark Phases 1 and 2 (Tutuban-Malolos and Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba (Manila-Laguna).
The entire NSCR line aims to serve 700,000 passengers daily once fully operational by 2023.
http://www.manilastandard.net/business/biz-plus/299952/govt-signs-p12-b-deal-to-buy-japanese-trains-for-malolos-rail.html
The Tutuban-Malolos rail system represents Phase 1 of Philippine National Railways’ Clark Railway Project. Phase 2 will extend it from Malolos to Clark Freeport in Pampanga province.
Under the Phase 1 contract, J-Trec-Sumitomo will manufacture and deliver 13 train sets for a total of 104 cars with a capacity of 2,242 passengers per train. “The prototype trains will be delivered by the third quarter of 2021,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
Tugade said the partial operations from Valenzuela to Malolos were expected to start by the end of 2021.
PNR Clark Phase 1 is a 37.6-kilometer elevated mass railway from Tutuban to Malolos. It will have 10 stations in Tutuban, Solis, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiginto and Malolos. Taisei Corp. and D.M. Consunji Inc. will build the project.
Once operational by the fourth quarter of 2021, travel time from Manila to Malolos would be reduced from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. The rail line is also expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
PNR Clark Phase 1 is funded by official development assistance from Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency under a 241.991-billion-yen or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.
PNR Clark Phase 1 forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway Project―a mega rail network that aims to seamlessly integrate the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon through PNR Clark Phases 1 and 2 (Tutuban-Malolos and Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba (Manila-Laguna).
The entire NSCR line aims to serve 700,000 passengers daily once fully operational by 2023.
http://www.manilastandard.net/business/biz-plus/299952/govt-signs-p12-b-deal-to-buy-japanese-trains-for-malolos-rail.html
DOTr inks contract with Japanese firms for Tutuban-Malolos railway
 |
| A model of the train to be used in the Tutuban-Malolos Railway. John Mark Guda, ABS-CBN News |
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a contract on Tuesday with Japanese firms for the production of trains for a new railway stretching from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan.
The new 38-kilometer railway promises to cut travel time between Tutuban and Malolos to just 35 minutes from the current 1.5 hours.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade led the formal contract signing for the project with Japanese companies Sumitomo Corp and Japan Transport Engineering Company.
The contract covers the production of 13 trainsets, with each trainset having 8 cars or 104 coaches in total.
A prototype of the train, which is designed to carry 2,242 passengers, was presented to the members of the media.
"This is the reason why we are all here today—to sign an agreement where the trains you see, the prototype you see, will come into fruition by 2021. The first agenda is to come to an agreement and principle that we will strive to work together so that we will realize the Tutuban to Malolos route by the end of 2021," Tugade said.
The project is worth P12.1 billion and is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It is the third of four contracts signed for the railway.
DOTr said Contract Package 1, signed on May 20, covers the construction of a depot and six train stations namely: Solis in Tondo, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao, and Bocaue.
Contract Package 2, meanwhile was signed on January 23 and covers the construction of stations in Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos.
Tugade said they expect delivery of the first batch of trains for the Tutuban-Malolos segment by the third quarter of 2021.
Tugade hopes the new railway can be partially operational by the end of 2021, and for it to be fully operational by 2022.
The DOTr said the construction of all these train stations is already in "full swing."
The Tutuban-Malolos railway, dubbed as PNR Clark Phase 1, is part of a planned train system that will stretch from Pampanga to Laguna, called the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). With a report from John Mark Guda, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/16/19/dotr-inks-contract-with-japanese-firms-for-tutuban-malolos-railway
MORE TRAINS | DOTr signs purchase contract for PNR trains with Japan firms
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to receive from Japan 13 trainsets for the Philippine Railways Tutuban-Malolos route.
The DOTr signed on Tuesday the P12-billion loan contract with Sumitomo Corporation, Japan Transport Engineering Company and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Each train set consists of 8 cars which can accommodate 2,242 passengers.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the trainsets will be funded through JICA, and designed similarly to Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen trains.
“Kung titingnan nyo ho ang mga kapartner natin dito mga Hapon. Ang ibig hong sabihin ‘nun, ‘yung mga tren na darating at gagawin nila ay more or less better doon sa mga tren na tumatakbo sa Japan ngayon.”
The rail project is part of the PNR Clark Phase 1 which also includes the construction of six stations from Solis to Bocaue.
Tugade said the department plans to partially operate the Tutuban-Malolos route before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down on June 30, 2022.
To fast-track the project, Tugade said the DOTr remains on target to complete the demolition of structures along the Tutuban-Malolos route.
https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/more-trains-dotr-signs-purchase-contract-for-pnr-trains-with-japan-firms|
The DOTr signed on Tuesday the P12-billion loan contract with Sumitomo Corporation, Japan Transport Engineering Company and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Each train set consists of 8 cars which can accommodate 2,242 passengers.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the trainsets will be funded through JICA, and designed similarly to Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen trains.
“Kung titingnan nyo ho ang mga kapartner natin dito mga Hapon. Ang ibig hong sabihin ‘nun, ‘yung mga tren na darating at gagawin nila ay more or less better doon sa mga tren na tumatakbo sa Japan ngayon.”
The rail project is part of the PNR Clark Phase 1 which also includes the construction of six stations from Solis to Bocaue.
Tugade said the department plans to partially operate the Tutuban-Malolos route before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down on June 30, 2022.
To fast-track the project, Tugade said the DOTr remains on target to complete the demolition of structures along the Tutuban-Malolos route.
https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/more-trains-dotr-signs-purchase-contract-for-pnr-trains-with-japan-firms|
DOTr, J-Trec-Sumitomo sign PNR Tutuban-Malolos trains contract
Mabalacat, Pampanga — The Department of Transportation and the joint venture of Japan Transport Engineering Co. and Sumitomo Corp. on Tuesday signed a P12.1-billion supply contract covering the trains for the Philippine National Railways Tutuban-Malolos project.
The project is the initial phase of the Metro Manila–Clark railway system, and will run from Tutuban station in Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the DOTr and J-Trec-Sumitomo joint venture will work closely to have the first delivery of trains in the third quarter of 2021.
J-Trec-Sumitomo will manufacture and deliver a rolling stock fleet of 13 train sets—eight cars per set— for a total of 104 cars.
The rolling stock is designed to accommodate up to 2,242 passengers, Tugade noted.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) broke ground on February 15, 2019. The 37.6-kilometer, elevated mass railway system will connect Malolos to Manila.
The Tutuban-Malolos project entails 10 stations:
Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Timothy John Batan said the contract with J-Trec-Sumitomo is valued at P12.1 billion.
The trains can run up to 120 kilometers per hour, and reduce the travel time between Manila and Bulacan from over one hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes once the system is fully operational by 2022.
Tugade said the DOTr is targeting partial operations—covering Valenzuela all the way to Malolos—by end-2021.
The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency under a ¥241.991-billion or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.
The PNR Tutuban-Malolos line will be integrated with the PNR Malolos-Clark project and the PNR South Commuter—Manila to Calamba, Laguna project—to form an integrated commuter railway system that will serve commuters travelling to, from, and within NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A.
The full interoperability of the entire PNR North-South Commuter Railway is expected to happen in 2023. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/701173/dotr-j-trec-sumitomo-sign-pnr-tutuban-malolos-trains-contract/story/
The project is the initial phase of the Metro Manila–Clark railway system, and will run from Tutuban station in Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the DOTr and J-Trec-Sumitomo joint venture will work closely to have the first delivery of trains in the third quarter of 2021.
J-Trec-Sumitomo will manufacture and deliver a rolling stock fleet of 13 train sets—eight cars per set— for a total of 104 cars.
The rolling stock is designed to accommodate up to 2,242 passengers, Tugade noted.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) broke ground on February 15, 2019. The 37.6-kilometer, elevated mass railway system will connect Malolos to Manila.
The Tutuban-Malolos project entails 10 stations:
- Tutuban
- Solis
- Caloocan
- Valenzuela
- Meycauayan
- Marilao
- Bocaue
- Balagtas
- Guiginto
- Malolos
Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Timothy John Batan said the contract with J-Trec-Sumitomo is valued at P12.1 billion.
The trains can run up to 120 kilometers per hour, and reduce the travel time between Manila and Bulacan from over one hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes once the system is fully operational by 2022.
Tugade said the DOTr is targeting partial operations—covering Valenzuela all the way to Malolos—by end-2021.
The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency under a ¥241.991-billion or P93.457-billion loan agreement signed in November 2015.
The PNR Tutuban-Malolos line will be integrated with the PNR Malolos-Clark project and the PNR South Commuter—Manila to Calamba, Laguna project—to form an integrated commuter railway system that will serve commuters travelling to, from, and within NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A.
The full interoperability of the entire PNR North-South Commuter Railway is expected to happen in 2023. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/701173/dotr-j-trec-sumitomo-sign-pnr-tutuban-malolos-trains-contract/story/
DOTr taps Japan bullet train supplier for Tutuban-Malolos railway
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) inked a supply contract with a Japanese firm to supply 104 train cars for the planned Tutuban-Malolos railway line.
DOTr officials led the signing ceremony on Tuesday for the supply deal covering phase one of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark line, which will extend operations by linking Manila to Bulacan.
The ₱149.1-billion project forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway system, which is funded through official development assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank. Japan is known globally for punctual and efficient train services.
DOTr chose the joint venture of the Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) and its local partner Sumitomo Corp. to supply 13 train sets for the service, each made up of eight linked cars which can carry up to 2,200 passengers per trip.
J-TREC is the biggest supplier of passenger rail cars in Japan, which include the Shinkansen or high-speed train service as well as other commuter lines in the country. The company also supplied train sets for railways in Bangkok, Thailand.
Based on the contract signed Tuesday at the Clark Marriott Hotel, the trains are set to be delivered to the country between October-December 2021. However, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he struck a verbal agreement with Japanese officials to have the trains here by the third quarter.
"Why are we agreeing to fast-track the manufacture of these trains? Because I have promised the President that we will have the partial operability ....by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021," Tugade said in his speech during the signing ceremony.
PNR has already signed two construction contracts for the new train service with Sumitomo Corp. and with the joint venture of DMCI and Taisei Corp. The government still needs to award the contract for electro-mechanical components.
Once completed, the train line is expected to trim travel time between Malolos and Tutuban from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. Trains are expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily, and will run at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
Other PNR projects on the government's "Build, Build, Build' pipeline include the PNR link from Manila to the Clark International Airport and to New Clark City, and another that will run from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/business/2019/7/16/DOTr-Japan-bullet-train-PNR.html
DOTr officials led the signing ceremony on Tuesday for the supply deal covering phase one of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark line, which will extend operations by linking Manila to Bulacan.
The ₱149.1-billion project forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway system, which is funded through official development assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank. Japan is known globally for punctual and efficient train services.
DOTr chose the joint venture of the Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) and its local partner Sumitomo Corp. to supply 13 train sets for the service, each made up of eight linked cars which can carry up to 2,200 passengers per trip.
J-TREC is the biggest supplier of passenger rail cars in Japan, which include the Shinkansen or high-speed train service as well as other commuter lines in the country. The company also supplied train sets for railways in Bangkok, Thailand.
Based on the contract signed Tuesday at the Clark Marriott Hotel, the trains are set to be delivered to the country between October-December 2021. However, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he struck a verbal agreement with Japanese officials to have the trains here by the third quarter.
"Why are we agreeing to fast-track the manufacture of these trains? Because I have promised the President that we will have the partial operability ....by the end of the fourth quarter of 2021," Tugade said in his speech during the signing ceremony.
PNR has already signed two construction contracts for the new train service with Sumitomo Corp. and with the joint venture of DMCI and Taisei Corp. The government still needs to award the contract for electro-mechanical components.
Once completed, the train line is expected to trim travel time between Malolos and Tutuban from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. Trains are expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily, and will run at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
Other PNR projects on the government's "Build, Build, Build' pipeline include the PNR link from Manila to the Clark International Airport and to New Clark City, and another that will run from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/business/2019/7/16/DOTr-Japan-bullet-train-PNR.html
Monday, July 15, 2019
Much-delayed’ MCRP to push through—Dominguez
By Chino S. Leyco
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said that residents from northern Luzon can expect the “much-delayed” railway system connecting Malolos, Bulacan and Clark International Airport in Pampanga will now push through.
Following the signing of a $1.3 billion from the Asian development Bank (ABD), Dominguez said that 54 kilometer passenger railway, the single largest infrastructure investment in history, is expected to be completed by 2025.
Once finished, the Malolos-Clark railway project (MCRP) will benefit around 342,000 passengers per day and is expected to be completed after six years.
Last week, ADB and the Philippine government sealed a loan agreement representing the first tranche of the bank’s $2.75 billion financing contribution for the MCRP.
“This project will more than pay for itself and bring convenience to hundreds of thousands of commuters a day in what will be an extremely busy Manila-Clark corridor in the coming years,” Dominguez said.
The estimated total project cost for the entire MCRP is $6.139 billion, which will be co-financed by the ADB and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The ADB will fund $2.75 billion or 44.8 percent of the total project cost, while JICA will finance $2.011 billion or 32.75 percent. The Philippine government’s counterpart funding of 22.45 percent amounts to $1.378 billion.
“This loan demonstrates the close coordination between multilateral agencies and our bilateral development partners,” said Dominguez.
“I am happy our development partners have adapted quite well to the ‘Fast and Sure’ approach in getting the major infrastructure projects going,” Dominguez added. “The ADB and the Japanese Government are indeed our friends and partners in their untiring support for the country’s growth and development.”
Dominguez noted that “this much-delayed project is finally pushing through” as part of the Duterte administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure modernization program.
The project was first conceptualized in the late 1990s, with preparatory construction starting in 2006 but scrapped in 2011.
ADB’s $2.75 billion loan is the largest sum extended by the Bank to the Philippines, which hosts its headquarters, or to any other country, since its establishment in 1966.
On the part of the ADB, the financing for the MCRP will be in three tranches, with each considered as stand-alone loans. The second tranche is a $1.0 billion loan, while the final one is for $450 million.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/07/14/much-delayed-mcrp-to-push-through-dominguez/
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said that residents from northern Luzon can expect the “much-delayed” railway system connecting Malolos, Bulacan and Clark International Airport in Pampanga will now push through.
Following the signing of a $1.3 billion from the Asian development Bank (ABD), Dominguez said that 54 kilometer passenger railway, the single largest infrastructure investment in history, is expected to be completed by 2025.
Once finished, the Malolos-Clark railway project (MCRP) will benefit around 342,000 passengers per day and is expected to be completed after six years.
Last week, ADB and the Philippine government sealed a loan agreement representing the first tranche of the bank’s $2.75 billion financing contribution for the MCRP.
“This project will more than pay for itself and bring convenience to hundreds of thousands of commuters a day in what will be an extremely busy Manila-Clark corridor in the coming years,” Dominguez said.
The estimated total project cost for the entire MCRP is $6.139 billion, which will be co-financed by the ADB and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The ADB will fund $2.75 billion or 44.8 percent of the total project cost, while JICA will finance $2.011 billion or 32.75 percent. The Philippine government’s counterpart funding of 22.45 percent amounts to $1.378 billion.
“This loan demonstrates the close coordination between multilateral agencies and our bilateral development partners,” said Dominguez.
“I am happy our development partners have adapted quite well to the ‘Fast and Sure’ approach in getting the major infrastructure projects going,” Dominguez added. “The ADB and the Japanese Government are indeed our friends and partners in their untiring support for the country’s growth and development.”
Dominguez noted that “this much-delayed project is finally pushing through” as part of the Duterte administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure modernization program.
The project was first conceptualized in the late 1990s, with preparatory construction starting in 2006 but scrapped in 2011.
ADB’s $2.75 billion loan is the largest sum extended by the Bank to the Philippines, which hosts its headquarters, or to any other country, since its establishment in 1966.
On the part of the ADB, the financing for the MCRP will be in three tranches, with each considered as stand-alone loans. The second tranche is a $1.0 billion loan, while the final one is for $450 million.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/07/14/much-delayed-mcrp-to-push-through-dominguez/
MPTC to start construction of NLEx-SLEx link in third quarter
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. said it expects to start by the third quarter the construction of an expressway that will link North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway.
“We are hoping by third quarter we will start construction,” MPTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.
The P23.3-billion NLEx-SLEx Connector Road is an eight-kilometer elevated four-lane expressway extending NLEx southward from the end of Segment 10 on C3 Road Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila and connecting to Skyway Stage 3 by mostly traversing the PNR rail track.
The project includes two interchanges at C3 Road/5th Avenue in Caloocan and España in Manila.
Once completed by 2021, the project will reduce travel time from SLEx to NLEx from two hours to just 20 minutes. Some 35,000 motorists are expected to use the project.
It will also reduce the travel time from Clark in Pampaga to Calamba, Laguna from about three hours to one hour and 40 minutes.
NLEx Corp., a unit of MPTC, opened the NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 in February this year, improving the accessibility and connectivity between the key areas of Metro Manila and the northern provinces of Luzon via NLEx.
Traversing the cities of Valenzuela, Malabon and Caloocan, the 5.65-km, six-lane NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 is seen to divert 30,000 vehicles daily away from the busy streets of Metro Manila. With the new road, travel time between C3 and NLEx will only take 5 minutes.
It will also facilitate the efficient delivery of goods as cargo trucks will have alternative access from Port Area in Manila to the provinces in Central and Northern Luzon.
The elevated expressway will enable travelers from Manila to Central and North Luzon to head straight to NLEx, bypassing Edsa and the Balintawak Toll Plaza.
The next phase of the project is the 2.6-km section from C3 Road to R10 in Navotas City.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/299787
“We are hoping by third quarter we will start construction,” MPTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.
The P23.3-billion NLEx-SLEx Connector Road is an eight-kilometer elevated four-lane expressway extending NLEx southward from the end of Segment 10 on C3 Road Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila and connecting to Skyway Stage 3 by mostly traversing the PNR rail track.
The project includes two interchanges at C3 Road/5th Avenue in Caloocan and España in Manila.
Once completed by 2021, the project will reduce travel time from SLEx to NLEx from two hours to just 20 minutes. Some 35,000 motorists are expected to use the project.
It will also reduce the travel time from Clark in Pampaga to Calamba, Laguna from about three hours to one hour and 40 minutes.
NLEx Corp., a unit of MPTC, opened the NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 in February this year, improving the accessibility and connectivity between the key areas of Metro Manila and the northern provinces of Luzon via NLEx.
Traversing the cities of Valenzuela, Malabon and Caloocan, the 5.65-km, six-lane NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 is seen to divert 30,000 vehicles daily away from the busy streets of Metro Manila. With the new road, travel time between C3 and NLEx will only take 5 minutes.
It will also facilitate the efficient delivery of goods as cargo trucks will have alternative access from Port Area in Manila to the provinces in Central and Northern Luzon.
The elevated expressway will enable travelers from Manila to Central and North Luzon to head straight to NLEx, bypassing Edsa and the Balintawak Toll Plaza.
The next phase of the project is the 2.6-km section from C3 Road to R10 in Navotas City.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/299787
Friday, July 12, 2019
First tranche of Malolos-Clark Railway loan from ADB signed
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte witnessed the formal signing last Thursday of a $1.3 billion loan, the first tranche of a total $2.75 billion facility, between the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The loan agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and ADB Vice-President Ahmed M. Saeed.
“The Malolos-Clark railway is part of the Philippine government’s North-South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City to Calamba by 2025,” the ADB said in a statement.
The project, according to the ADB, will use “cutting-edge technology to build an elevated railway line, with a maximum train speed of 160 kilometers per hour, to help ease chronic road congestion in and around Metro Manila, reduce air pollution, cut the costs of transport and logistics, and encourage economic growth and a population shift outside the capital.”
Mr. Saeed was quoted as saying: “Our work in the Philippines has always held a special place in the history of ADB. Now, under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up its own support to the government… The Malolos-Clark Railway Project is ADB’s single largest infrastructure project financing ever at $2.75 billion. We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country.”
The President said in his speech during the ceremony: “I am directing the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to fast-track the completion the MCRP and observe the highest quality standards as we complete this railway project.”
“By the time it is completed, I expect that our people, especially those from Central Luzon, will greatly feel the impact of our ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” he added.
The ADB noted that the project is the result of its “close collaboration” with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the DoTr.
“During project preparation, a joint technical team from the department and the two institutions conducted regular ‘Build, Build, Build’ meetings, with reporting to Transportation Secretary Mr. Arthur Tugade. ADB’s safeguard and resettlement policies were adopted and are being implemented for the project,” it also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/first-tranche-of-malolos-clark-railway-loan-from-adb-signed/
The loan agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and ADB Vice-President Ahmed M. Saeed.
“The Malolos-Clark railway is part of the Philippine government’s North-South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City to Calamba by 2025,” the ADB said in a statement.
The project, according to the ADB, will use “cutting-edge technology to build an elevated railway line, with a maximum train speed of 160 kilometers per hour, to help ease chronic road congestion in and around Metro Manila, reduce air pollution, cut the costs of transport and logistics, and encourage economic growth and a population shift outside the capital.”
Mr. Saeed was quoted as saying: “Our work in the Philippines has always held a special place in the history of ADB. Now, under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up its own support to the government… The Malolos-Clark Railway Project is ADB’s single largest infrastructure project financing ever at $2.75 billion. We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country.”
The President said in his speech during the ceremony: “I am directing the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to fast-track the completion the MCRP and observe the highest quality standards as we complete this railway project.”
“By the time it is completed, I expect that our people, especially those from Central Luzon, will greatly feel the impact of our ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” he added.
The ADB noted that the project is the result of its “close collaboration” with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the DoTr.
“During project preparation, a joint technical team from the department and the two institutions conducted regular ‘Build, Build, Build’ meetings, with reporting to Transportation Secretary Mr. Arthur Tugade. ADB’s safeguard and resettlement policies were adopted and are being implemented for the project,” it also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/first-tranche-of-malolos-clark-railway-loan-from-adb-signed/
PHL, ADB sign loan for Malolos–Clark Railway Project
Finance Secretary Mr. Carlos Dominguez III and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed today signed a $1.3 billion loan, the first tranche of a total $2.75 billion facility, for the Malolos–Clark Railway Project in a ceremony witnessed by Philippine President Mr. Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañan Palace.
The Malolos-Clark railway project is part of the government’s 163-km North–South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City, Clark and Clark International Airport with Manila and Calamba by 2025.
Domiguez said the MCRP is ADB’s single largest infrastructure investment in the Philippines and in any country since its establishment.
The second tranche of the loan agreement is $1 billion while the third one will be $0.45 billion. Each tranche is considered a stand-alone loan requiring its own processes for approval and effectivity.
Expected to cut travel time from Metro Manila to Clark International Airport from Manila to Clark International Airport to less than one hour from the current travel time of 2 to 3 hours by car or bus, the Malolos-Clark Railway Project is expected to be partially operational by 2022.
In a speech, President Duterte also ordered the Department of Transportation to fasttrack the construction of the MCRP, which amounted to a total of $6.139 billion.
“I am directing the Department of Transportation to fast track the completion of the MCRP and observe the highest quality standards as we complete this railway project. By the time it is completed, I expect that our people, especiallythose from Central Luzon, will greatly feel the impact of our Build, Build, Build program,” he said.
Meanwhile, ADB also vowed to continue supporting the government in its journey towards providing better lives for the Filipino people, adding that they are expecting its annual lending to reach a record $2.5 billion, more than double the amount in 2018. Half of which will go to infrastructure investments.
“Our work in the Philippines has always held a special place in the history of ADB. Now, under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up its own support to the government,” ADB Vice President Ahmed Saeed said in a speech in a ceremony in Malacanang. “The Malolos–Clark Railway Project is ADB’s single largest infrastructure project financing ever at $2.75 billion. We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country.”
The new railway project will also be built using high quality construction methods to achieve a a maximum rail speed of 160km per hour.
While the ADB will be financing civil works of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, including the stations, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, and depot buildings, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) will be financing the core system, such as track depot equipment, power supply and electrification, signalling and telecommunications systems, and procurement of rolling stock as well as consulting services.
Broken down, ADB’s $2.75 billion comprises the biggest share or 44.8 percent of the estimated total project cost of the MCRP of $6.139 billion. Meanwhile, Jica will be funding a total of 2.011 billion or 32.75 percent of the project cost while the Philippine government will shoulder 1.378 billion or 22.45 percent.
Commuters will be able to easily transfer from public buses and jeepneys to trains as the rail stations will include multimodal facilities. The underground station which will be located at the Clark International Airport will also provide a short connection to upcoming and future airport terminals.
Flood risks are also expected to be mitigated along the route as the project will be built on elevated alignment. This will also help reduce the impact on communities and avoid disruption of activities.
New construction methods, such as pre-fabricated viaduct segments, will be used to limit the need for land acquisition and accelerate construction.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/11/phl-adb-sign-loan-for-malolos-clark-railway-project/
The Malolos-Clark railway project is part of the government’s 163-km North–South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City, Clark and Clark International Airport with Manila and Calamba by 2025.
Domiguez said the MCRP is ADB’s single largest infrastructure investment in the Philippines and in any country since its establishment.
The second tranche of the loan agreement is $1 billion while the third one will be $0.45 billion. Each tranche is considered a stand-alone loan requiring its own processes for approval and effectivity.
Expected to cut travel time from Metro Manila to Clark International Airport from Manila to Clark International Airport to less than one hour from the current travel time of 2 to 3 hours by car or bus, the Malolos-Clark Railway Project is expected to be partially operational by 2022.
In a speech, President Duterte also ordered the Department of Transportation to fasttrack the construction of the MCRP, which amounted to a total of $6.139 billion.
“I am directing the Department of Transportation to fast track the completion of the MCRP and observe the highest quality standards as we complete this railway project. By the time it is completed, I expect that our people, especiallythose from Central Luzon, will greatly feel the impact of our Build, Build, Build program,” he said.
Meanwhile, ADB also vowed to continue supporting the government in its journey towards providing better lives for the Filipino people, adding that they are expecting its annual lending to reach a record $2.5 billion, more than double the amount in 2018. Half of which will go to infrastructure investments.
“Our work in the Philippines has always held a special place in the history of ADB. Now, under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up its own support to the government,” ADB Vice President Ahmed Saeed said in a speech in a ceremony in Malacanang. “The Malolos–Clark Railway Project is ADB’s single largest infrastructure project financing ever at $2.75 billion. We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country.”
The new railway project will also be built using high quality construction methods to achieve a a maximum rail speed of 160km per hour.
While the ADB will be financing civil works of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, including the stations, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, and depot buildings, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) will be financing the core system, such as track depot equipment, power supply and electrification, signalling and telecommunications systems, and procurement of rolling stock as well as consulting services.
Broken down, ADB’s $2.75 billion comprises the biggest share or 44.8 percent of the estimated total project cost of the MCRP of $6.139 billion. Meanwhile, Jica will be funding a total of 2.011 billion or 32.75 percent of the project cost while the Philippine government will shoulder 1.378 billion or 22.45 percent.
Commuters will be able to easily transfer from public buses and jeepneys to trains as the rail stations will include multimodal facilities. The underground station which will be located at the Clark International Airport will also provide a short connection to upcoming and future airport terminals.
Flood risks are also expected to be mitigated along the route as the project will be built on elevated alignment. This will also help reduce the impact on communities and avoid disruption of activities.
New construction methods, such as pre-fabricated viaduct segments, will be used to limit the need for land acquisition and accelerate construction.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/11/phl-adb-sign-loan-for-malolos-clark-railway-project/
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Gov’t, ADB ink $1.3B initial financing for Malolos-Clark railway
The Philippines on Thursday inked the initial $1.3 billion financing deal with the Asian Development Bank for the construction of the Malolos-Clark railway.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and ADB Vice President Ahmed Saeed signed the loan agreement at the Malacañang Palace Thursday.
“Under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up to its own support to the government,” Saeed said during the signing.
The Manila-based lender earlier said it approved financing of $2.75 billion for the railway, which will be distributed in 4 tranches.
The amount is the biggest financing project of ADB for a single infrastructure project, Saeed said.
The 53.1-kilometer train line will connect Malolos in Bulacan to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. It is expected to cut travel time from Manila to Clark to less than an hour and to serve 342,000 passengers daily.
The Malolos-Clark line is part of the 163-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway Project, which aims to connect New Clark City to Calamba in Laguna. It is expected to be completed by 2025.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/11/19/govt-adb-ink-13b-initial-financing-for-malolos-clark-railway
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and ADB Vice President Ahmed Saeed signed the loan agreement at the Malacañang Palace Thursday.
“Under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up to its own support to the government,” Saeed said during the signing.
The Manila-based lender earlier said it approved financing of $2.75 billion for the railway, which will be distributed in 4 tranches.
The amount is the biggest financing project of ADB for a single infrastructure project, Saeed said.
The 53.1-kilometer train line will connect Malolos in Bulacan to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. It is expected to cut travel time from Manila to Clark to less than an hour and to serve 342,000 passengers daily.
The Malolos-Clark line is part of the 163-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway Project, which aims to connect New Clark City to Calamba in Laguna. It is expected to be completed by 2025.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/11/19/govt-adb-ink-13b-initial-financing-for-malolos-clark-railway
Gov’t, ADB sign $1.3-B loan deal for Malolos-Clark Railway Project
The government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed a $1.3-billion loan agreement for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez signed on behalf of the Philippines while ADB Vice-President Ahmed Saeed signed for the Manila-based multilateral lending bank.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
The amount is the first tranche for the total $2.75-billion loan that will be used for the railway project.
https://business.inquirer.net/274436/govt-adb-sign-1-3-b-loan-deal-for-malolos-clark-railway-project
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez signed on behalf of the Philippines while ADB Vice-President Ahmed Saeed signed for the Manila-based multilateral lending bank.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
President Duterte witnesses signing of the loan agreement for the Malolos-Clark railway project. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/FuzcdLxEe1— Darryl John Esguerra (@DJEsguerraINQ) July 11, 2019
The amount is the first tranche for the total $2.75-billion loan that will be used for the railway project.
https://business.inquirer.net/274436/govt-adb-sign-1-3-b-loan-deal-for-malolos-clark-railway-project
Philippines, ADB sign $1.3-B loan deal for Malolos-Clark railway
The Philippines and the Asian Development Bank on Thursday signed a $1.3 billion loan, the first tranche of the $2.75-billion facility, for the Malolos–Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The MCRP ADB's single largest infrastructure project financing ever.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and ADB vice president Ahmed Saeed signed the loan agreement in a ceremony witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
"We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country," Saeed said in his speech.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting the project with an additional funding of up to $2 billion for the rolling stock and the railway systems.
In his speech, Duterte directed the Department of Transportation to fast track the completion of the MCRP and observe the highest quality standards.
Once finished, the MCRP is expected to cut the travel time from Metro Manila to the Clark International Airport to less than an hour, compared with two to three hours by car or bus today.
It is expected to be partially operational in 2022, and is expected to accommodate about 342,000 passengers daily, which is expected to increase to as much as 696,000 passengers daily, traveling to Calamba by 2025.
According to the ADB, the project will use cutting-edge technology to build an elevated railway line, with a maximum train speed of 160 kilometers per hour, to help ease traffic congestion in and around Metro Manila, reduce air pollution, cut the costs of transport and logistics, and encourage economic growth and a population shift outside the capital.
"By the time it is completed, I expect that our people, especially those from Central Luzon, will greatly feel the impact of our 'Build, Build, Build' program," Duterte said.
"As we pursue these endeavors, I expect [you] to embody excellence, integrity and accountability of us here in government as we journey towards inclusive and sustainable growth."
The ADB said civil works contracts under the project were being bid out, with the first contract awards expected in the fourth quarter of 2019. —NB, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/700736/philippines-adb-sign-1-3-b-loan-deal-for-malolos-clark-railway/story/
The MCRP ADB's single largest infrastructure project financing ever.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and ADB vice president Ahmed Saeed signed the loan agreement in a ceremony witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
"We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country," Saeed said in his speech.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting the project with an additional funding of up to $2 billion for the rolling stock and the railway systems.
In his speech, Duterte directed the Department of Transportation to fast track the completion of the MCRP and observe the highest quality standards.
Once finished, the MCRP is expected to cut the travel time from Metro Manila to the Clark International Airport to less than an hour, compared with two to three hours by car or bus today.
It is expected to be partially operational in 2022, and is expected to accommodate about 342,000 passengers daily, which is expected to increase to as much as 696,000 passengers daily, traveling to Calamba by 2025.
According to the ADB, the project will use cutting-edge technology to build an elevated railway line, with a maximum train speed of 160 kilometers per hour, to help ease traffic congestion in and around Metro Manila, reduce air pollution, cut the costs of transport and logistics, and encourage economic growth and a population shift outside the capital.
"By the time it is completed, I expect that our people, especially those from Central Luzon, will greatly feel the impact of our 'Build, Build, Build' program," Duterte said.
"As we pursue these endeavors, I expect [you] to embody excellence, integrity and accountability of us here in government as we journey towards inclusive and sustainable growth."
The ADB said civil works contracts under the project were being bid out, with the first contract awards expected in the fourth quarter of 2019. —NB, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/700736/philippines-adb-sign-1-3-b-loan-deal-for-malolos-clark-railway/story/
PH gov't, ADB sign loan for Malolos-Clark railway project
Philippine Finance Secretary Mr. Carlos Dominguez III and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice-President Mr. Ahmed M. Saeed on Thursday signed a USD1.3 billion loan, the first tranche of a total USD2.75 billion facility, for the Malolos–Clark Railway Project in a ceremony witnessed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañan Palace.
“Our work in the Philippines has always held a special place in the history of ADB. Now, under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up its own support to the government,” Saeed said.
“The Malolos–Clark Railway Project is ADB’s single largest infrastructure project financing ever at USD2.75 billion. We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country.”
The Malolos–Clark railway is part of the Philippine government’s North–South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City to Calamba by 2025.
The project will use cutting-edge technology to build an elevated railway line, with a maximum train speed of 160 kilometers per hour, to help ease chronic road congestion in and around Metro Manila, reduce air pollution, cut the costs of transport and logistics, and encourage economic growth and a population shift outside the capital.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is co-financing the project with an additional financing of up to USD2 billion for the rolling stock and the railway systems.
The Malolos–Clark project is a result of close collaboration between ADB, JICA, and the Department of Transportation. During project preparation, a joint technical team from the department and the two institutions conducted regular “Build, Build, Build” meetings, with reporting to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
ADB’s safeguard and resettlement policies were adopted and are being implemented for the project.
Civil works contracts under the project are being bidded out, with the first contract awards expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
Other ADB projects under preparation for this year include the EDSA Greenways Project, which will construct elevated walkways along busy intersections in Metro Manila, and additional financing for the metropolis’ main water supply system under the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.
Also under preparation is additional financing for the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility, which will help prepare feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs of other flagship projects of the government.
ADB assistance to the Philippines is expected to hit a record USD2.5 billion for 2019, more than double its average annual financing of USD1 billion in the last three years.
ADB’s future proposed projects include financing for the Blumentritt–Calamba section of the North–South Commuter Railway project in 2020, as well as the railway extension to New Clark City in 2022, with co-financing from JICA.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to USD21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members -- 49 from the region.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074732
“Our work in the Philippines has always held a special place in the history of ADB. Now, under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, ADB is considerably scaling up its own support to the government,” Saeed said.
“The Malolos–Clark Railway Project is ADB’s single largest infrastructure project financing ever at USD2.75 billion. We are pleased to be supporting this important flagship project in our host country.”
The Malolos–Clark railway is part of the Philippine government’s North–South Commuter Railway project, which aims to link New Clark City to Calamba by 2025.
The project will use cutting-edge technology to build an elevated railway line, with a maximum train speed of 160 kilometers per hour, to help ease chronic road congestion in and around Metro Manila, reduce air pollution, cut the costs of transport and logistics, and encourage economic growth and a population shift outside the capital.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is co-financing the project with an additional financing of up to USD2 billion for the rolling stock and the railway systems.
The Malolos–Clark project is a result of close collaboration between ADB, JICA, and the Department of Transportation. During project preparation, a joint technical team from the department and the two institutions conducted regular “Build, Build, Build” meetings, with reporting to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
ADB’s safeguard and resettlement policies were adopted and are being implemented for the project.
Civil works contracts under the project are being bidded out, with the first contract awards expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
Other ADB projects under preparation for this year include the EDSA Greenways Project, which will construct elevated walkways along busy intersections in Metro Manila, and additional financing for the metropolis’ main water supply system under the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.
Also under preparation is additional financing for the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility, which will help prepare feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs of other flagship projects of the government.
ADB assistance to the Philippines is expected to hit a record USD2.5 billion for 2019, more than double its average annual financing of USD1 billion in the last three years.
ADB’s future proposed projects include financing for the Blumentritt–Calamba section of the North–South Commuter Railway project in 2020, as well as the railway extension to New Clark City in 2022, with co-financing from JICA.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
In 2018, it made commitments of new loans and grants amounting to USD21.6 billion. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members -- 49 from the region.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1074732
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
The Future of Metro-Manila’s Railway Network
Commuting has always been a daily part in a Filipino’s everyday routine, and with it, comes the never-ending complaints and frustrations about the state of public transportation in Metro Manila.
In 2017, a study called “Unlocking Cities,” done by global firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) placed the Philippines’ capital region as the 3rd worst in traffic in Southeast Asia, with an average of 66 minutes stuck in traffic daily. Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), meanwhile, revealed last year that the worsening traffic in Metro Manila costs P3.5 billion in lost opportunities per day.
Things are quite looking up though, as efforts to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila are currently being planned and implemented — from new bus rapid transit lines to new railways and extensions to existing ones.
A SkyscraperCity.com forum user that goes by the name OctaviusIII uploaded a render of a map showing the network of existing, underway, and planned railways and BRT lines in Metro Manila to provide a glimpse on how Manila’s future railway network will look like. Aside from LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, and PNR, the map includes:
01 The LRT-1 Extension, which started its construction in the middle of 2018. The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension, with its eight new stations, will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run all the way to Niog, Cavite. Target date for its completion is in 2021.
02 The LRT-2 East Extension, which will reduce travel time from Recto to Masinag to 40 minutes compared to the usual travel of up to three hours in the same route by bus or jeepneys. The 4.0-kilometer extension of the existing LRT-2 System is set to be operational in the first quarter of 2019.
03 The LRT-4, which hopes to link densely populated areas in Taytay, Rizal, and the Ortigas Business District. The proposed 20-kilometer project used to be part of the Public Private Partnership program under the Aquino administration.
04 The MRT-5, or the Metro Manila Subway, which will be the country’s first subway. The about 30-kilometer underground railroad would run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport across 14 stations — with the possible extension of one to two more stations being planned by the Department of Transportation. The target completion for its first three stations is in May 2022.
05 The LRT-6, which involves the construction of a 19-kilometer railway from Niyog in Bacoor to Dasmariñas City in Cavite province. It’s planned to start its construction in 2016 and be operational in 2021, but the prequalification process for the project was delayed in 2016.
06 The MRT-7, which is a 22-kilometer rail transit system with 14 stations connecting North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. It serve commuters who ply the heavily congested Commonwealth Avenue area for work and school on a daily basis and help decongest traffic in Caloocan and NLEX. Construction is already underway, and its completion is expected by 2019.
07 The PNR Northrail, which would extend the line in Manila northward to Bulacan province. The P225-billion railway project would lessen the travel time to Clark International Airport from Metro Manila to 55 minutes. It is expected to be completed in 2020.
https://balikbayan.asianjournal.com/features/technology/the-future-of-metro-manilas-railway-network/
In 2017, a study called “Unlocking Cities,” done by global firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) placed the Philippines’ capital region as the 3rd worst in traffic in Southeast Asia, with an average of 66 minutes stuck in traffic daily. Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), meanwhile, revealed last year that the worsening traffic in Metro Manila costs P3.5 billion in lost opportunities per day.
Things are quite looking up though, as efforts to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila are currently being planned and implemented — from new bus rapid transit lines to new railways and extensions to existing ones.
A SkyscraperCity.com forum user that goes by the name OctaviusIII uploaded a render of a map showing the network of existing, underway, and planned railways and BRT lines in Metro Manila to provide a glimpse on how Manila’s future railway network will look like. Aside from LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, and PNR, the map includes:
01 The LRT-1 Extension, which started its construction in the middle of 2018. The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension, with its eight new stations, will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run all the way to Niog, Cavite. Target date for its completion is in 2021.
02 The LRT-2 East Extension, which will reduce travel time from Recto to Masinag to 40 minutes compared to the usual travel of up to three hours in the same route by bus or jeepneys. The 4.0-kilometer extension of the existing LRT-2 System is set to be operational in the first quarter of 2019.
03 The LRT-4, which hopes to link densely populated areas in Taytay, Rizal, and the Ortigas Business District. The proposed 20-kilometer project used to be part of the Public Private Partnership program under the Aquino administration.
04 The MRT-5, or the Metro Manila Subway, which will be the country’s first subway. The about 30-kilometer underground railroad would run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport across 14 stations — with the possible extension of one to two more stations being planned by the Department of Transportation. The target completion for its first three stations is in May 2022.
05 The LRT-6, which involves the construction of a 19-kilometer railway from Niyog in Bacoor to Dasmariñas City in Cavite province. It’s planned to start its construction in 2016 and be operational in 2021, but the prequalification process for the project was delayed in 2016.
06 The MRT-7, which is a 22-kilometer rail transit system with 14 stations connecting North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. It serve commuters who ply the heavily congested Commonwealth Avenue area for work and school on a daily basis and help decongest traffic in Caloocan and NLEX. Construction is already underway, and its completion is expected by 2019.
07 The PNR Northrail, which would extend the line in Manila northward to Bulacan province. The P225-billion railway project would lessen the travel time to Clark International Airport from Metro Manila to 55 minutes. It is expected to be completed in 2020.
https://balikbayan.asianjournal.com/features/technology/the-future-of-metro-manilas-railway-network/
Solon wants Rizal 2nd district split into three
A NEOPHYTE solon yesterday proposed splitting his congressional district due to overpopulation.
Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said the second district should be divided into three in order to provide constituents with proper and effective services.
Nograles said that Rizal is among the most populous provinces which has the fewest number of representatives in the House of Representatives.
To date, Rizal, which has close to 2.9 million people, is divided into two districts, and another two in Antipolo City.
“On the average, the 10 most populous provinces in the country have six representatives each in the House of Representatives. The province of Cebu, including its cities, have 10 representatives in Congress representing 4.6 million people or a ratio of around 1:460,000,” Nograles said.
“In Rizal you have four legislators representing around 2.9 million people or a ratio of one for every 721,000 people. In terms of population, Rizal has roughly the same population as Pangasinan and Batangas, but these provinces have six legislative districts each. The disparity, I believe, is self-evident,” the first-termer solon added.
In filing House Bill 336, Nograles proposed that his current district, consisting of the municipalities of Baras, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Rodriguez (Montalban), San Mateo, Tanay and Teresa be split into three separate legislative districts.
The new first district would be the towns of Rodriguez (Montalban) and San Mateo and the new second legislative district would be composed of the municipality of Taytay.
The towns of Angono and Binangonan would be the third legislative district while Baras, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Tanay and Teresa would be the province’s fourth legislative district.
The additional districts would give the province of Rizal a total of seven legislative districts, which currently has four districts (Antipolo first district, Antipolo second district, Rizal first district, and Rizal second district).
https://journal.com.ph/news/nation/solon-wants-rizal-2nd-district-split-three
Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said the second district should be divided into three in order to provide constituents with proper and effective services.
Nograles said that Rizal is among the most populous provinces which has the fewest number of representatives in the House of Representatives.
To date, Rizal, which has close to 2.9 million people, is divided into two districts, and another two in Antipolo City.
“On the average, the 10 most populous provinces in the country have six representatives each in the House of Representatives. The province of Cebu, including its cities, have 10 representatives in Congress representing 4.6 million people or a ratio of around 1:460,000,” Nograles said.
“In Rizal you have four legislators representing around 2.9 million people or a ratio of one for every 721,000 people. In terms of population, Rizal has roughly the same population as Pangasinan and Batangas, but these provinces have six legislative districts each. The disparity, I believe, is self-evident,” the first-termer solon added.
In filing House Bill 336, Nograles proposed that his current district, consisting of the municipalities of Baras, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Rodriguez (Montalban), San Mateo, Tanay and Teresa be split into three separate legislative districts.
The new first district would be the towns of Rodriguez (Montalban) and San Mateo and the new second legislative district would be composed of the municipality of Taytay.
The towns of Angono and Binangonan would be the third legislative district while Baras, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililla, Tanay and Teresa would be the province’s fourth legislative district.
The additional districts would give the province of Rizal a total of seven legislative districts, which currently has four districts (Antipolo first district, Antipolo second district, Rizal first district, and Rizal second district).
https://journal.com.ph/news/nation/solon-wants-rizal-2nd-district-split-three
Saturday, July 6, 2019
DOTr vows to restore MRT-3 to original high-grade design
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has vowed to fix and restore the MRT-3 to its original and high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021.
“We are not deaf to the inconvenience being endured by our commuters, and this is precisely why the DOTr has already put in motion a series of strategic steps that will deliver a very dramatic improvement in MRT-3 in the course of the next two years,” Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said.
The team of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has already put in place a computerized maintenance management system for a more efficient railway operation, according to the DOTr.
Rehabilitation works for the station facilities have also commenced, with all escalators and elevators seen operational by the end of the year.
After breaking down in 2014, MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine was also repaired in March which, together with the upcoming replacement of all mainline tracks, will ensure that the trains will be running smoothly and with less vibration.
The DOTr said excess vibration is one of the major causes of MRT-3 train breakdowns in the past.
“Fixing MRT-3 requires a painstaking process that involves removing the cause – terminating BURI; procuring the solution – return of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and implementing the solution – the 26-month rehabilitation period. We recognize that the process is taking time, but the DOTr has acted decisively and swiftly at every step,” Batan said.
The DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT-3’s former maintenance service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) in November 2017 “due to its poor performance.”
Following the contract termination with BURI, the DOTr established a maintenance transition team that temporarily took over the maintenance of the railway system, while the procurement of a new maintenance service provider was being processed.
In November last year, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT-3.
The DOTr then re-engaged the services of Sumitomo and MHI who are also the original designer, builder, and maintenance provider of MRT-3 during its first 12 years of operations.
Under the MRT-3 rehabilitation project, Sumitomo-MHI will undertake the overhaul of all 72 light rail vehicles, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of escalators and elevators.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
The DOTr said significant drop in unloading incidents and service interruptions has been recorded in the MRT-3 in recent years.
Passenger unloading incidents declined to 57 last year from 463 incidents in 2017, 586 in 2016 and 417 in 2015.
In the first half, MRT-3 has so far recorded 14 unloading incidents.
Service interruptions also declined to 17 last year from 81 in 2017, 63 in 2016 and 55 in 2015.
The DOTr said only 12 service interruptions were so for recorded in January to June period.
“While we are working to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3, we are asking for understanding and patience from the riding public. We are fasttracking rehabilitation and restoration works at the MRT-3,” Batan said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/06/1932294/dotr-vows-restore-mrt-3-original-high-grade-design
“We are not deaf to the inconvenience being endured by our commuters, and this is precisely why the DOTr has already put in motion a series of strategic steps that will deliver a very dramatic improvement in MRT-3 in the course of the next two years,” Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said.
The team of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has already put in place a computerized maintenance management system for a more efficient railway operation, according to the DOTr.
Rehabilitation works for the station facilities have also commenced, with all escalators and elevators seen operational by the end of the year.
After breaking down in 2014, MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine was also repaired in March which, together with the upcoming replacement of all mainline tracks, will ensure that the trains will be running smoothly and with less vibration.
The DOTr said excess vibration is one of the major causes of MRT-3 train breakdowns in the past.
“Fixing MRT-3 requires a painstaking process that involves removing the cause – terminating BURI; procuring the solution – return of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and implementing the solution – the 26-month rehabilitation period. We recognize that the process is taking time, but the DOTr has acted decisively and swiftly at every step,” Batan said.
The DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT-3’s former maintenance service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) in November 2017 “due to its poor performance.”
Following the contract termination with BURI, the DOTr established a maintenance transition team that temporarily took over the maintenance of the railway system, while the procurement of a new maintenance service provider was being processed.
In November last year, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT-3.
The DOTr then re-engaged the services of Sumitomo and MHI who are also the original designer, builder, and maintenance provider of MRT-3 during its first 12 years of operations.
Under the MRT-3 rehabilitation project, Sumitomo-MHI will undertake the overhaul of all 72 light rail vehicles, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of escalators and elevators.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
The DOTr said significant drop in unloading incidents and service interruptions has been recorded in the MRT-3 in recent years.
Passenger unloading incidents declined to 57 last year from 463 incidents in 2017, 586 in 2016 and 417 in 2015.
In the first half, MRT-3 has so far recorded 14 unloading incidents.
Service interruptions also declined to 17 last year from 81 in 2017, 63 in 2016 and 55 in 2015.
The DOTr said only 12 service interruptions were so for recorded in January to June period.
“While we are working to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3, we are asking for understanding and patience from the riding public. We are fasttracking rehabilitation and restoration works at the MRT-3,” Batan said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/06/1932294/dotr-vows-restore-mrt-3-original-high-grade-design
MRT 3 back to old grade by 2021 Q3
The Department of Transportation said the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 system was on track to being fixed and restored to its original, high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021.
The DOTr said since the Duterte administration took office in 2016, a series of critical and strategic steps were taken to put the major rail line back on track.
These include the termination of non-performing service providers, establishment of a government maintenance transition team, and procurement of a Japanese Government-backed, JICA-funded, and experienced rehabilitation and maintenance service provider.
“Fixing MRT 3 requires a painstaking process that involves removing the cause—terminating BURI (Busan Universal Railways Inc); procuring the solution—return of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy; and implementing the solution—the 26-month rehabilitation period,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.
In November 2017, the DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT 3’s maintenance service provider, BURI, which was engaged by the previous administration in January 2016.
Through the ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation project, DOTr will raise the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the headway or waiting time between trains from seven to 10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes.
The system’s capacity will likewise double from the current 350,000 to 650,000 passengers per day.
DOTr said rail replacement works for the whole stretch of the MRT 3 mainline will begin in November 2019, and will be completed by February 2021, since rail replacement can only be done during the evening non-operating hours.
In a meeting with DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade on June 29, Sumitomo-MHI gave assurance that other spare parts are also due to arrive ahead of schedule.
LRV parts, rail, and track parts will arrive this month, three months ahead of schedule. Power supply equipment and OCS parts will arrive in August 2019, one month ahead of schedule. Signaling system parts will also arrive in August, two months ahead of schedule. Road rail vehicle and depot equipment parts will arrive in September, one month ahead of schedule. And communication system parts will arrive in December 2019, one month ahead of schedule.
On Nov. 8, 2018, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT 3.
Under the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project, Sumitomo-MHI will undertake the overhaul of all 72 Light Rail Vehicles of the MRT 3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT 3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/299031/mrt-3-back-to-old-grade-by-2021-q3.html
The DOTr said since the Duterte administration took office in 2016, a series of critical and strategic steps were taken to put the major rail line back on track.
These include the termination of non-performing service providers, establishment of a government maintenance transition team, and procurement of a Japanese Government-backed, JICA-funded, and experienced rehabilitation and maintenance service provider.
“Fixing MRT 3 requires a painstaking process that involves removing the cause—terminating BURI (Busan Universal Railways Inc); procuring the solution—return of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy; and implementing the solution—the 26-month rehabilitation period,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.
In November 2017, the DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT 3’s maintenance service provider, BURI, which was engaged by the previous administration in January 2016.
Through the ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation project, DOTr will raise the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the headway or waiting time between trains from seven to 10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes.
The system’s capacity will likewise double from the current 350,000 to 650,000 passengers per day.
DOTr said rail replacement works for the whole stretch of the MRT 3 mainline will begin in November 2019, and will be completed by February 2021, since rail replacement can only be done during the evening non-operating hours.
In a meeting with DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade on June 29, Sumitomo-MHI gave assurance that other spare parts are also due to arrive ahead of schedule.
LRV parts, rail, and track parts will arrive this month, three months ahead of schedule. Power supply equipment and OCS parts will arrive in August 2019, one month ahead of schedule. Signaling system parts will also arrive in August, two months ahead of schedule. Road rail vehicle and depot equipment parts will arrive in September, one month ahead of schedule. And communication system parts will arrive in December 2019, one month ahead of schedule.
On Nov. 8, 2018, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT 3.
Under the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project, Sumitomo-MHI will undertake the overhaul of all 72 Light Rail Vehicles of the MRT 3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT 3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/299031/mrt-3-back-to-old-grade-by-2021-q3.html
Friday, July 5, 2019
MRT-3 on track to return to high-grade design state
With its comprehensive rehabilitation underway and ahead of schedule, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 is on track to return to its original, high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that, since the Duterte administration took office in 2016, vital steps were taken to put the major rail line back on track.
These include the elimination of underperforming contractual engagements, establishment of a government transition team, and procurement of a proven rehabilitation and maintenance service provider.
“The entire process is taking some time, but we implore the public to trust us that this is the right process to ultimately fix the longstanding issues with the MRT-3,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.
“We are not ignorant to the suffering of our commuters. We hear you, we are doing something about it, we are already experiencing gains, and you will experience further a very dramatic change in the rail service in two years’ time,” Batan added.
Through this massive rehabilitation project, the DOTr MRT-3 expects to raise the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double the train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the headway or waiting time from 7-10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes.Train capacity will likewise double to 650,000 passengers daily.
Contract of underperforming BURI terminated
In November 6, 2017, the DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT-3’s maintenance service provider, Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), which was engaged by the previous administration.
BURI’s termination was predicated on its poor performance, failure to ensure availability of required number of trains, failure to implement a feasible procurement plan for spare parts, and non-compliance with the requirements of a complete and up-to-date Computerized Management System.
From 2016 to 2017, BURI was only able to overhaul three freight cars instead of 43 freight cars.
Establishment of Maintenance Transition Team
Following the contract termination with BURI, the DOTr established a Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) that temporarily took over the maintenance of the railway system, while the procurement of a new maintenance service provider was being processed.
A month after its establishment, the MTT, through its Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), procured 18,579 necessary spare parts, broken down as follows: rolling stock– 9,515; tracks– 7,776; Overhead Catenary System (OCS)– 1,109; and power– 179.
The MTT also procured 78 brand-new air conditioning units (ACUs), 60 units of which have been delivered and already installed in train coaches. The remaining 18 ACUs are set to arrive in August.
Dramatic drop in unloading incidents and service interruptions
Under the MTT supervision, passenger unloading incidents and service interruptions continue to drop.
In 2018, passenger unloading incidents plunged to 57 in 2018 – an immense improvement from 417 passenger unloading incidents posted in 2015; 586 in 2016; and 463 in 2017.
Service interruptions have also considerably decreased in recent years. From 55 service interruptions in 2015; 63 in 2016; 81 in 2017 – service interruptions for 2018 have numbered down to just 17.
For the January-June period alone, the MRT-3 recorded 14 unloading incidents in 2019 – a massive reduction compared to 180 unloading incidents in the first half-year period in 2015; 333 in 2016; 200 in 2017; and 49 in 2018.
Service interruptions for the January-June period, as well, continue to taper. This year saw 12 service interruptions for the first half, a substantial improvement from 25 service interruptions recorded for the same period in 2015; 31 in 2016 and 2017; and 13 in 2018.
Sumitomo returns as MRT-3 rehabilitation and maintenance service provider
Last November 8, 2018, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT-3.
The DOTr chose to engage the services of Sumitomo Corporation, the original maintenance provider of the rail line, given its proven expertise in rail maintenance. Sumitomo tapped its technical partners, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and TES Philippines, to assist in the endeavor.
Sumitomo-MHI-TESP was fully mobilized for the system overhaul and comprehensive rehabilitation on May1, 2019, following the handover from MTT. As early as end-2018, however, the Sumitomo-MHI-TESP has already conducted advance transition works for the rehabilitation project.
Under the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP will undertake the overhaul of all 72 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) of the MRT-3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signalling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT-3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
Arrival of spare parts ahead of scheduled delivery dates
In February 2019, prior to receiving any advance payment and as an act of faith in the Duterte administration and in the leadership of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP began procurement of tracks, train parts, and other necessary components for the comprehensive rehabilitation of MRT-3.
Following the successful factory test conducted by the Factory Acceptance Team (FAT) for rails headed by MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati at Nippon Steel in Fukuoka, Japan, over 50% of new rails have been shipped and are due to arrive to arrive in the country between this month and August, several months earlier than their scheduled date of delivery.
Rail replacement works for the whole stretch of the MRT-3 mainline will begin in November 2019, and will be completed by February 2021.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Tugade last June 29, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP also announced that spare parts are due to arrive ahead of schedule.
Rail vehicles (with refurbishment), rail parts, and track parts will arrive this month, three months ahead of scheduled delivery date.
Power supply equipment/OCS will arrive in August 2019, a month ahead of the scheduled delivery date. The Signaling System will also arrive in August, two months earlier than scheduled.
Road rail vehicle / depot equipment will arrive in September, a month ahead of the scheduled delivery date. Meanwhile, the Communication Systems will arrive in December 2019, a month ahead of schedule.
Various rehabilitation works begin
Shortly after the mobilization of Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, various rolling stock rehabilitation works have commenced. These include wheel truing or profiling through the newly repaired wheel lathe machine.
After five years of inoperability, the lathe machine was utilized once again following its repair in March. The use of a lathe machine would cut hours from the time usually spent for reshaping the wheels of LRVs.
With the repair of MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine last March, and the upcoming replacement of all MRT-3 mainline tracks, the trains will be running more smoothly and with less vibration.
Vibration is a bane to mechanical and electrical equipment, and is one of the causes of MRT-3 train breakdowns in the past.
“Dahil baku-bako ‘yung mga riles natin at dahil baku-bako ang gulong ng tren natin, nagiging matagtag ang takbo ng MRT-3, at ‘yang tagtag na ‘yanay isa doon sa pinakamalaking root causes bakit tayo nagkakaaberya. Kasi isipin mo na lang, marami kang mechanical, marami kang electrical components sa loob ng mga bagon, pero ang disenyo naman ng mga tren ay tumakbo sa makinis na riles at makinis na gulong. Kapag excessive ‘yung nagiging tagtag dahil sa baku-bakong riles at gulong, talaga namang maaapektuhan ang reliability ng ating mga tren,” Batan explained.
After MRT-3 train wheels are smoothened using the now-operational wheel lathe machine and once train tracks are smoothened following mainline tracks replacement, vibrations will be substantially reduced, resulting in fewer vibration-related mechanical and electrical breakdowns.
Meanwhile, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP also announced that the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) has been put in place for a more efficient railway operation.
Station Facility Rehabilitation Works also commenced in June, while Mitsubishi Escalator Rehabilitation Works in stations started last May. Schindler Escalator Rehabilitation will commence soon.
According to the DOTr MRT-3, all these works should have been accomplished years ago.
“Naghahabol po tayo ng oras para sa lahat ng mga taon na nasayang nang hindi nare-rehabilitate ang MRT-3.
Humihingi kami ng tiis at pasensya pa sa publiko para magawa lahat ng ito. Ang mahalaga po ay may ginagawa tayo. Umuusad ang pagpapabuti sa ating MRT,” Batan said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/05/mrt-3-on-track-to-return-to-high-grade-design-state/
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that, since the Duterte administration took office in 2016, vital steps were taken to put the major rail line back on track.
These include the elimination of underperforming contractual engagements, establishment of a government transition team, and procurement of a proven rehabilitation and maintenance service provider.
“The entire process is taking some time, but we implore the public to trust us that this is the right process to ultimately fix the longstanding issues with the MRT-3,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.
“We are not ignorant to the suffering of our commuters. We hear you, we are doing something about it, we are already experiencing gains, and you will experience further a very dramatic change in the rail service in two years’ time,” Batan added.
Through this massive rehabilitation project, the DOTr MRT-3 expects to raise the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double the train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the headway or waiting time from 7-10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes.Train capacity will likewise double to 650,000 passengers daily.
Contract of underperforming BURI terminated
In November 6, 2017, the DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT-3’s maintenance service provider, Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), which was engaged by the previous administration.
BURI’s termination was predicated on its poor performance, failure to ensure availability of required number of trains, failure to implement a feasible procurement plan for spare parts, and non-compliance with the requirements of a complete and up-to-date Computerized Management System.
From 2016 to 2017, BURI was only able to overhaul three freight cars instead of 43 freight cars.
Establishment of Maintenance Transition Team
Following the contract termination with BURI, the DOTr established a Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) that temporarily took over the maintenance of the railway system, while the procurement of a new maintenance service provider was being processed.
A month after its establishment, the MTT, through its Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), procured 18,579 necessary spare parts, broken down as follows: rolling stock– 9,515; tracks– 7,776; Overhead Catenary System (OCS)– 1,109; and power– 179.
The MTT also procured 78 brand-new air conditioning units (ACUs), 60 units of which have been delivered and already installed in train coaches. The remaining 18 ACUs are set to arrive in August.
Dramatic drop in unloading incidents and service interruptions
Under the MTT supervision, passenger unloading incidents and service interruptions continue to drop.
In 2018, passenger unloading incidents plunged to 57 in 2018 – an immense improvement from 417 passenger unloading incidents posted in 2015; 586 in 2016; and 463 in 2017.
Service interruptions have also considerably decreased in recent years. From 55 service interruptions in 2015; 63 in 2016; 81 in 2017 – service interruptions for 2018 have numbered down to just 17.
For the January-June period alone, the MRT-3 recorded 14 unloading incidents in 2019 – a massive reduction compared to 180 unloading incidents in the first half-year period in 2015; 333 in 2016; 200 in 2017; and 49 in 2018.
Service interruptions for the January-June period, as well, continue to taper. This year saw 12 service interruptions for the first half, a substantial improvement from 25 service interruptions recorded for the same period in 2015; 31 in 2016 and 2017; and 13 in 2018.
Sumitomo returns as MRT-3 rehabilitation and maintenance service provider
Last November 8, 2018, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT-3.
The DOTr chose to engage the services of Sumitomo Corporation, the original maintenance provider of the rail line, given its proven expertise in rail maintenance. Sumitomo tapped its technical partners, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and TES Philippines, to assist in the endeavor.
Sumitomo-MHI-TESP was fully mobilized for the system overhaul and comprehensive rehabilitation on May1, 2019, following the handover from MTT. As early as end-2018, however, the Sumitomo-MHI-TESP has already conducted advance transition works for the rehabilitation project.
Under the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP will undertake the overhaul of all 72 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) of the MRT-3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signalling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT-3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
Arrival of spare parts ahead of scheduled delivery dates
In February 2019, prior to receiving any advance payment and as an act of faith in the Duterte administration and in the leadership of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP began procurement of tracks, train parts, and other necessary components for the comprehensive rehabilitation of MRT-3.
Following the successful factory test conducted by the Factory Acceptance Team (FAT) for rails headed by MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati at Nippon Steel in Fukuoka, Japan, over 50% of new rails have been shipped and are due to arrive to arrive in the country between this month and August, several months earlier than their scheduled date of delivery.
Rail replacement works for the whole stretch of the MRT-3 mainline will begin in November 2019, and will be completed by February 2021.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Tugade last June 29, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP also announced that spare parts are due to arrive ahead of schedule.
Rail vehicles (with refurbishment), rail parts, and track parts will arrive this month, three months ahead of scheduled delivery date.
Power supply equipment/OCS will arrive in August 2019, a month ahead of the scheduled delivery date. The Signaling System will also arrive in August, two months earlier than scheduled.
Road rail vehicle / depot equipment will arrive in September, a month ahead of the scheduled delivery date. Meanwhile, the Communication Systems will arrive in December 2019, a month ahead of schedule.
Various rehabilitation works begin
Shortly after the mobilization of Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, various rolling stock rehabilitation works have commenced. These include wheel truing or profiling through the newly repaired wheel lathe machine.
After five years of inoperability, the lathe machine was utilized once again following its repair in March. The use of a lathe machine would cut hours from the time usually spent for reshaping the wheels of LRVs.
With the repair of MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine last March, and the upcoming replacement of all MRT-3 mainline tracks, the trains will be running more smoothly and with less vibration.
Vibration is a bane to mechanical and electrical equipment, and is one of the causes of MRT-3 train breakdowns in the past.
“Dahil baku-bako ‘yung mga riles natin at dahil baku-bako ang gulong ng tren natin, nagiging matagtag ang takbo ng MRT-3, at ‘yang tagtag na ‘yanay isa doon sa pinakamalaking root causes bakit tayo nagkakaaberya. Kasi isipin mo na lang, marami kang mechanical, marami kang electrical components sa loob ng mga bagon, pero ang disenyo naman ng mga tren ay tumakbo sa makinis na riles at makinis na gulong. Kapag excessive ‘yung nagiging tagtag dahil sa baku-bakong riles at gulong, talaga namang maaapektuhan ang reliability ng ating mga tren,” Batan explained.
After MRT-3 train wheels are smoothened using the now-operational wheel lathe machine and once train tracks are smoothened following mainline tracks replacement, vibrations will be substantially reduced, resulting in fewer vibration-related mechanical and electrical breakdowns.
Meanwhile, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP also announced that the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) has been put in place for a more efficient railway operation.
Station Facility Rehabilitation Works also commenced in June, while Mitsubishi Escalator Rehabilitation Works in stations started last May. Schindler Escalator Rehabilitation will commence soon.
According to the DOTr MRT-3, all these works should have been accomplished years ago.
“Naghahabol po tayo ng oras para sa lahat ng mga taon na nasayang nang hindi nare-rehabilitate ang MRT-3.
Humihingi kami ng tiis at pasensya pa sa publiko para magawa lahat ng ito. Ang mahalaga po ay may ginagawa tayo. Umuusad ang pagpapabuti sa ating MRT,” Batan said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/05/mrt-3-on-track-to-return-to-high-grade-design-state/
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