Tugade: PNR Malolos to Clark segment to generate 7,000 direct jobs

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade reiterated that job opportunities are available for Filipinos as the construction of various infrastructure projects is underway, such as the massive North-South Commuter Railway’s (NSCR) Malolos-Clark segment, which opened a total of 7,000 direct jobs.

During the inspection of the PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark Segment) project today, September 18, Sec. Tugade highlighted the employment benefits of the railway project which will give priority to local hiring.

“I have been stressing this and I want to make sure that under the Build, Build, Build, we shall prioritize the employment of former Overseas Filipino Workers and transport workers to guarantee the inclusivity of this project,” Secretary Tugade said in his message, which was delivered by DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Giovanni Lopez.

The PNR Clark Phase 2 forms part of the massive 147-km NSCR line, which will have 35 stations, and shall operate 464 train cars, with 58 8-car train sets configuration.

To note, apart from the 7,000 direct jobs that opened during the construction phase of the PNR Clark Phase 2, around 3,000 more job opportunities will be generated once the project becomes operational. Moreover, for the whole NSCR line, over 25,000 direct job opportunities will be generated during its construction, while 10,000 jobs are expected to provide employment to the people.

For a mega infrastructure project such as the NSCR, the Japanese government as well as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), which will co-finance the project, commended the DOTr for ensuring that construction works continue despite present challenges and global crisis.

In his message, the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko stressed the important benefits of the NSCR to Filipinos, including the improvement of connectivity surrounding Metro Manila, and the convenience it will provide to commuters.

“On top of these, the benefit of this project will extend as far as creating many job opportunities. A total of 10,000 new jobs are expected during its construction and once operations begin,” Ambassador Kazuhiko said.

As of July 2021, PNR Clark Phase 2 recorded an overall progress rate of 32%, while PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban to Malolos segment), is now 48% complete.

The PNR Clark project features the country’s first-ever airport railway express service, which will surely unlock the economic growth and employment potentials of Central Luzon, especially Bulacan and Pampanga.

“This project is going to be incredibly important to the economic recovery and particularly in this region. So, you can imagine you got a lot of employment that’s being created, a lot of supply contracts – so this is the direct effect. And then there are the indirect effects – the second round of effects – the creation of new income opportunities for the region,” ADB Country Director Kelly Bird meanwhile said.

“This project is also one of the prime examples of the JICA-ADB partnership for financing quality infrastructure. We are amazed by the fast and continuous progress of the project amidst the pandemic,” JICA Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa expressed.

Meanwhile, proving that job opportunities are at hand, two (2) returning overseas workers gave their testimonies and encouraged others to take advantage of the employment opportunities under the government’s Build, Build, Build program.

“I am an OFW for around of 18 years already, and when I heard about this PNR project, which my parent company is one of the contractors— the Hyundai Engineering— I was amazed and very much interested to come back to the Philippines for this one,” said Melvin Avellana, a former OFW in Singapore.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this company (Acciona-EEI JV), which develops and manages infrastructure solutions in one of the most important projects in my home country. I told my family and friends back in Dubai not to be afraid to come back because there are opportunities, and I am happy to be back home,” Reynalyn Garcia shared who was an OFW for 15 years in the United Arab of Emirates. (DOTR) – rir

https://ptvnews.ph/tugade-pnr-malolos-to-clark-segment-to-generate-7000-direct-jobs/

Japanese Ambassador, ADB, JICA laud DOTr Sec. Tugade for North-South commuter railway progress

As construction works for the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2 Project begin, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa, and Asian Development Bank Country Director Kelly Bird lauded Transportation Secretary Art Tugade for the visible and rapid progress of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project under the Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation projects improving the lives of Filipinos are being launched with Secretary Tugade leading the way, Ambassador Kazuhiko said.

“Despite the challenging pandemic situation, important milestones in our transport project have been launched one after another. This is due in large part to the strong leadership of Secretary Tugade—for which we are truly grateful,” the Japanese Ambassador explained during the site inspection of the PNR Clark Phase 2 Project at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Kazuhiko said the PNR Clark Phase 2 Project is a “symbol of the Japanese and Filipino collaboration.”

With the NSCR Project in full swing, Ambassador Kazuhiko said the Japanese government will continue to promote the transfer of technology, maintenance knowledge, and the promotion of Filipino human capital for the railway operations of the NSCR.

“Time and again, we commit our continuous support to President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build Program. Japan will further commit cooperation such as the procurement of rolling stocks and development of the railroad system through JICA-ODA support,” he said.

ADB Country Director Bird likewise expressed his gratitude to Secretary Tugade for bringing the NSCR Project into fruition while committing the financial institution’s continued support for other government big-ticket projects.

“I would like to thank Secretary Tugade for his amazing leadership in bringing this project to where it is today. I would also like to reiterate that the Asian Development Bank will always remain committed to the Philippines as our host country and we will continue to support the Philippines not only to overcome the current challenges with COVID-19 but also on its journey to becoming an upper-middle-income country very soon,” Bird said.

“And here today, we are seeing for ourselves the commencement of civil works [for PNR Clark Phase 2]. It’s been a fantastic journey for ADB, with the Department of Transportation and the government of Japan in bringing this amazing project to commencement,” he added.

JICA Chief Representative Azukizawa echoed the Ambassador’s sentiments, explaining that the NSCR’s progress is “impressive” even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is indeed an impressive achievement for the Department of Transportation and Philippine National Railways. This is the product of our concerted efforts, strong collaboration, and leadership under Secretary Tugade, which we remarkably achieved amidst the raging spread of COVID-19,” the JICA official said.

“We are amazed by the fast and continued progress of the project amid the pandemic,” Azukizawa added.

The second leg of the NSCR Project, the 53-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 2, will connect cities and municipalities in Central Luzon with Metro Manila and will link the railway system with the country’s first-ever Airport Express Service to the Clark International Airport.

Once operational, the PNR Clark Phase 2 will reduce travel time between Makati City and Clark International Airport in less than two hours through the Airport Express Service.

The NSCR Project is the single largest financing project of the ADB not only in the Philippines, but also across its member states, and at the same time the longest greenfield commuter railway project of JICA. (DOTr) -rir

https://ptvnews.ph/japanese-ambassador-adb-jica-laud-dotr-sec-tugade-for-north-south-commuter-railway-progress/

PNR Malolos-Clark segment generated 7,000 jobs —DOTr

By TED CORDERO, GMA News

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Saturday that the construction of the Philippine National Railways’ Clark Phase 2 project or the Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga line opened thousands of job opportunities.

In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the project will generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for locals, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and transport sector workers hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that at least 7,000 direct jobs have been opened for grabs as the construction of the projects progresses.

“I have been stressing this and I want to make sure that under the Build, Build, Build program, we shall prioritize the employment of former OFWs and transport workers to guarantee the inclusivity of this project,” Tugade said.

The PNR Clark Phase 2 forms part of the massive 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project -- which will have 35 stations and shall operate 464 train cars, with 58 eight-car train sets configuration.

The NSCR line stretches from Laguna to Clark in Pampanga.

In particular, the 54-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 2 or Malolos-Clark line will feature the country’s first airport railway express service.

As of July 2021, PNR Clark Phase 2 recorded an overall progress rate of 32%, while PNR Clark Phase 1 or the Tutuban to Malolos segment is at 48%. 

Apart from the 7,000 direct jobs that opened during the construction phase of the PNR Clark Phase 2, around 3,000 more job opportunities will be generated once the project becomes operational, the DOTr said.

Moreover, it said that for the whole NSCR line, over 25,000 direct job opportunities will be generated during its construction, while 10,000 jobs are expected to provide employment to the people.

The NSCR project will be co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In his message, the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko stressed the important benefits of the NSCR to Filipinos, including the improvement of connectivity surrounding Metro Manila, and the convenience it will provide to commuters.

"On top of these, the benefit of this project will extend as far as creating many job opportunities. A total of 10,000 new jobs are expected during its construction and once operations begin," Kazuhiko said.

For ADB country director Kelly Bird, the “project is going to be incredibly important to the economic recovery and particularly in this region.”

“So, you can imagine you got a lot of employment that's being created, a lot of supply contracts -- so this is the direct effect. And then there are the indirect effects -- the second round of effects -- the creation of new income opportunities for the region," Bird said.

JICA chief representative Eigo Azukizawa, for his part, commended the “fast and continuous progress of the project amidst the pandemic.” —LBG, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/803788/pnr-malolos-clark-segment-generated-7-000-jobs-dotr/story/?just_in

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