With Airport Express Service Makati-Clark in 55 minutes

TRAVEL time between Makati and Clark via railway will be reduced to 55 minutes with the Airport Express Service.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials said this during the first inspection of the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) railway project on Saturday, September 19, 2021

This airport link project, the first of its kind in the country, is also part of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).

Aside from this, the travel time between Malolos, Bulacan, and Clark will be cut down from one hour and 30 minutes to just 30 to 35 minutes, the agency stated.

The 53-kilometer Malolo-Clark railway segment will link several areas in Central Luzon to Metro Manila.

It has six stations in Calumpit, Bulacan; Apalit, Pampanga; City of San Fernando; Angeles City; Clark Freeport and Clark International Airport.

Eigo Azukizawa, the chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), lauded the DOTr for its swift implementation of the project despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the successful commencement and ongoing rollout of construction are products of collaborative efforts and firm partnership between the government and its partner agencies.

"We are amazed by the fast and continued progress of the project amid the pandemic," the Jica official added.

During an inspection of the project in Mabalacat City, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said their government will continue providing technology and other means for the effective implementation of the NSCR project.

Japan is one of the top funding sources for the railway projects implemented by the DOTr.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1907712/Pampanga/Local-News/With-Airport-Express-Service-Makati-Clark-in-55-minutes

PNR Clark-Malolos 32% complete, no construction delays: DOTr

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

The Malolos-Clark segment or phase two of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), is now 32 percent complete and is on track to be completed in 2024.

In a Laging Handa briefing on Monday, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the NSCR Phase 2 began construction this year.

“Sa kasalukuyan ay meron tayong 32 percent na overall progress rate para sa PNR Clark Phase 2 at inaasahan natin na yan ay matapos--kabuuan mula Manila hanggang Clark--by the year 2024 (To date we have a 32 percent overall progress rate for the PNR Clark Phase and we’re expecting this to be completed—from Manila to Clark—by the year 2024),” Batan said.

The NSCR is composed of three segments—the PNR Clark Phase 1 that began construction in 2019, PNR Clark Phase 2, and PNR Calamba that is slated to begin construction next year.

“Itong [NSCR] ay meron haba na 147 kilometers (km) at meron yan 35 na mga istasyon at yan ay magdadaan sa 25 na cities at municipalities mula sa Clark International Airport (CRK) hanggang Calamba (The NSCR is 147 km long and has 35 stations that will pass through 25 cities and municipalities from CRK to Calamba),” Batan said.

He said the NSCR is expected to provide a total of 25,000 direct jobs.

“Sa Clark Phase 2 pa lang ay 7,000 jobs na ang magagawa at direct pa lang yan. Ibig sabihin yung mga trabahador natin, wala pa diyan yung mga indirect jobs na tinatawag na magmumula sa doon sa economic activity na isasagawa at maidudulot nitong proyekto (PNR Clark Phase 2 alone will provide 7,000 direct jobs. That only includes project workers, not including indirect jobs that will be created by the project’s economic activity),” Batan said.

On Saturday, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and other officials conducted a site inspection of the underground railway station adjacent to CRK that is part of the NSCR Phase 2.

Once operational, the journey from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga is seen to cut down to 30 to 35 minutes from the previous 1.5 to two-hour drive and will be part of the country’s first “Airport Express Service.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1154075

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

PAMPANGA – 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 on 18 September 2021, 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 allowance 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 effects. And then there are the indirect effects – the second round of effects – the creating of new income opportunities for the region,” ADB Country Director Kelly Bird meanwhile said.

“This project is also one of the prime examples of 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, an OFW for 15 years in the United Arab of Emirates, shared.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1490128/tugade-pnr-malolos-to-clark-segment-to-generate-7000-direct-jobs

JICA-ADB funded Metro Manila to Clark railway extension project to create 10,000 jobs – Japanese envoy

The construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension, the Philippines’ first airport-bound highspeed railway, will create 10,000 jobs and cut down travel time between Metro Manila and Clark to only about an hour, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko said over the weekend.

Koshikawa made this statement at the start of the construction of the Philippine National Railways’ Clark Phase 2 on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The railway segment plans to “seamlessly” link PNR Clark 1 line in Tutuban to Malolos, Bulacan (38 kilometers) and the PNR Clark 2 line from Malolos to Clark International Airport (58 kilometers).

In January 2019, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement that would provide an Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) loan to the Philippines amounting to JPY167.199 billion ($1.54 billion) for the 109-kilometer NSCR extension project.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is co-financing the project.

The loan funds of the Japan ODA will be used to procure rolling stock, a railway system and consulting services, while the ADB assistance will be utilized for civil works.

According to JICA, the Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) will apply to the Japanese ODA loan for the project that will involve the transfer of advanced Japanese technology such as safe and punctual signaling systems and rolling stock that is lightweight and energy-efficient.

The Japanese funding agency said the project aims to strengthen the connectivity of urban transportation and enhance the transportation capacity in and around Metro Manila.

The railway extension forms part of the 147-kilometer NSCR project extending the North-South Commuter Railway to Clark International Airport in Pampanga Province in the north and to Calamba of Laguna Province in the south.

An ODA loan agreement for the NSCR was first signed in November 2015 during the time of the Aquino administration. The total cost of the NSCR project, including the extension, is P628.42 billion ($12.03 billion).

The entire 147-kilometer NSCR project that stretches from Laguna to Clark in Pampanga will have a total of 35 stations and 464 train cars with 58 eight-car train sets configuration.

It will also link existing railway lines – Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2, the MRT 3, and the upcoming Metro Manila Subway.

The NSCR project is targeted for completion in September 2025.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/19/jica-adb-funded-metro-manila-to-clark-railway-extension-project-to-create-10000-jobs-japanese-envoy/

DoTr seeks exemption from public works ban

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Senior Reporter

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) is asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt its infrastructure projects, including the long-awaited Mindanao railway, from the public works ban ahead of the election season.

“A request has been made by DoTr to Comelec for exemption of all DoTr projects,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Eymard D. Eje told BusinessWorld in a phone message on Saturday.

“Comelec said that they cannot process our request as there are no guidelines yet. We will just refile it once guidelines are out,” he added.

The Comelec said the public works ban for the May national elections will run from March 25 to May 8, 2022. The public works ban covers disbursement and spending as well as construction activity. This is aimed at preventing politicians from using state resources for their election campaigns.

If the Comelec does grant an exemption for DoTr projects, the construction of the first phase of the Mindanao Railway project is expected to start in April 2022, project manager Clipton J. Solamo said.

Funded by China, the Mindanao rail project was initially expected to start partial operations in March 2022 and full operations in June 2023.

In the revised “indicative” timeline provided by Mr. Solamo on Sept. 13, construction work is now expected to begin in April 2022.

The government now hopes to start partial operations in October 2022, and full operations in October 2023.

The railway’s P82.9-billion first phase stretches from the Tagum Station and depot in Davao del Norte to Digos City in Davao del Sur. It will have stations in Carmen, Panabo, Santa Cruz, and three in Davao City, including a sub-depot.   

Mr. Solamo said that “notices of taking” have been issued to 69.90% of affected properties in Tagum, 10.78% in Carmen, 96.69% in Panabo, 90.67% in Davao City, 85.26% in Santa Cruz, and 86.84% in Digos.

The Mindanao rail’s P3.08-billion project management consultancy contract has been awarded to a consortium composed of China Railway Design Corp. and Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co., Ltd.

The government is awaiting the shortlist of bidders from China for the design-and-build package.

OTHER PROJECTS

Based on the revised list of infrastructure flagship projects, ongoing DoTr projects that are targeted for completion next year include the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, and Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.

The Metro Manila Subway Project is expected to start excavation activities in the first quarter of 2022.

The partial operations segment (San Pablo, Candelaria, Lucena, and Pagbilao) of the PNR Bicol Project is expected to start in the first half of 2022.

The Malolos-Clark segment (PNR Clark Phase 2) of the North-South Commuter Railway is likewise expected to be partially operational next year.

https://www.bworldonline.com/dotr-seeks-exemption-from-public-works-ban/

PNR extension project to boost economic growth in Central Luzon

The North-South Commuter Rail Project (NSCR) is expected to spur economic growth in Central Luzon once operational, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said yesterday.

The NSCR is the largest project to be undertaken so far under the government’s Build Build Build program, with a total cost of P777.55 billion.

“A transport infrastructure project like the NSCR will spur economic growth in Central Luzon, particularly the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The DOTr targets the Manila-Clark portion of the project to be fully operational by 2024, and its Solis-Calamba segment by 2028.

NSCR’s Manila-Clark portion or its northern segment is composed of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 and 2 projects, or the Tutuban to Malolos and Malolos to Clark segments, respectively.

The PNR Clark Phase 1 is 48 percent complete, while Phase 2 was 32 percent complete as of July.

The entire 147-kilometer NSCR line will have 35 stations and will operate 464 train cars, with 58 eight-car train sets configuration.

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 project is financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/09/20/2128298/pnr-extension-project-boost-economic-growth-central-luzon