Monday, September 27, 2021
NSCR Extension Project starts construction
Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiro joined the Department of Transportation (DoTr) Undersecretary Timothy John Batan and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Director General Ramesh Subramaniam at the joint site inspection for the extension of the ongoing Japan-funded North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project which runs from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban.
Held at the site of Clark International Airport Station in Mabalacat, Pampanga, the September 18 ceremony marked the start of construction for the NSCR Extension Project (NSCR-Ex).
Jointly financed by the ADB and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), there will be two extension lines to strengthen the Philippines' mass transport network and expand the economic sphere of Metro Manila, alleviating traffic congestion, improving the investment environment, and mitigating the effects of air pollution and climate change. The 51-km north extension will run from Malolos to Clark International Airport, while the 55-km south extension will run from Solis, Manila to Calamba, Laguna.
The project will utilize the Japanese railway system that uses energy-efficient and reliable trains. The technical aspects will also complement the ongoing NSCR Malolos to Tutuban Project that adopts Japanese technology on flood-resilient and anti-seismic design to withstand earthquakes. The Official Development Assistance yen loan of Jica will be allocated for the procurement of rolling stock and railway system as well as consulting services, while the ADB loan funds will be allocated to civil works.
The NSCR-Ex Project is one of the key infrastructure projects supported by Japan under the Philippine government's Build, Build, Build program. The government of Japan has been supporting the Philippines' railway sector for many years now, including the expansion of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 to Cavite, recently completed extension of LRT Line 2 to Masinag, Antipolo under the Capacity Enhancement of Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila Project, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation projects, in addition to the Metro Manila Subway.