MPTC sees completion of P155-B Urban Ring Road network in 3-5 years

In three to five years, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will complete its P155-billion ‘Urban Ring Road,’ a network linking expressways in all four directions of Metro Manila to make travel seamless for motorists.

So far, some parts of the road’s three expressway sections “have been completed, a few are under construction, while the rest are in the planning stage,” according to MPTC President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco.

On the east of the ring are the C5 Expressway and C5 Southlink, and on the west is the NLEX-CAVITEX Port Expressway Link.

After MPTC acquired CAVITEX in 2010, “We realized we could build a ring road by linking our expressways in the northern and southern parts of Metro Manila, providing express access to and from all directions within the metropolis,” he explained.

Already, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reported that the country “is losing P3.5 billion per day due to urban traffic congestion.”

This loss should be drastically reduced. “We know we are on the right track,” Franco stressed.

Based on traffic project studies, the ring road could reduce vehicle operating costs (VOCs), generate more jobs for workers during and after construction, lessen pollution, boost land values in areas around the expressways and enhance the quality of urban life.

“The tollway projects are interconnected, and their favorable socio-economic impact is cumulative,” Franco added.

The three interlinked expressway projects comprise the NLEX Urban Ring Road.

The two eastside urban expressway projects at Metro Manila are the C5 Expressway, for 2026 completion, and the C5 South Link to be completed in 2023.

The C-5 Expressway connects the segment extensions of NLEX main – Segments 8.1 and 8.2, which ends at C. P. Garcia Avenue.

The C5 Expressway (Section 1) begins where C. P. Garcia Avenue leaves off, proceeding to the Marcos Ave. Interchange, to Libis and Caruncho ramps, advancing to Ortigas and Lanuza Avenues, ending up in Pasig Boulevard.

Section 2 of C5 Expressway moves toward Bonifacio Global City through the Levi Mariano and Bayani Road interchanges – finally linking with C5 Southlink all the way to CAVITEX main toll plaza.

At the westside of Metro Manila, is the NLEX-CAVITEX Port Expressway Link, a six-lane 15.1 km. expressway.

The Link has three sections: Section 1, from the end of Radial Road 10 (R-10) Spur Road Ramp of NLEX, to Anda Circle in Manila. Section 2 starts at Buendia Avenue, traversing Roxas Boulevard and Diosdado Macapagal Avene – toward CAVITEX. Section 3 connects Anda Circle to Buendia.

Thousands of vehicles which traverse existing local roads will be redirectred to the expressways, reducing overuse and creating savings for the government,” according to Franco.

The savings could finance other priority projects.

Furthermore, the tollway expansion will finally match the capacity expansions of the Manila North and South Harbors — even the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).

With this link, north-bound trucks would steer clear of the congested roads of Manila.

Faster travel time reduces gas consumption, minimizes vehicle wear and tear and translates to higher margins for truck operators.

As easier travel boosts business activity, malls, commercial establishments, and offices will need more people to run their businesses.

“This means more jobs during construction and after construction when these tollways are fully operational,” says Franco.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/20/mptc-sees-completion-of-p155-b-urban-ring-road-network-in-3-5-years/

LRT 1 CAVITE EXTENSION UPDATE JULY 18-2021

LRT-1 CAVITE EXTENSION PROJECT | BACLARAN AREA JULY 17 2021

LRT 1 CAVITE EXTENSION LATEST UPDATE JULY 15,2021 ANG BILIS NG PROGRESS!...

Naga itinutulak na ideklara nang Highly Urbanized City

NAGA CITY- Itinutulak sa konseho na ideklara sa pamamagitan ng isang Presidential Proclamation bilang isa sa mga Highly Urbanized Cities ang Naga.

Sa Local Government Code nakasaad na highly urbanized ang isang lungsod kung umaabot na sa 200-libo ang populasyon. Sa tala ng Philippine Statistics Authority lumalabas na umabot na sa 209,170 noong 2020 ang populasyon mula sa 196,003 noong 2015.

6.3% ang itinaas ito.  Sa 27 Barangays ang Concepcion Pequeña pa rin ang maraming nananahanan kung saan umabot na ito sa 25,139 at Dinaga ang may pinaka kaunti sa 344.

Ayon kay City Councilor Badong Del Castillo , malaking bagay ito sa iba pang benipisyo, mga programang ipatutupad ng Local at National Government

https://brigadanews.ph/naga-itinutulak-na-ideklara-nang-highly-urbanized-city/

DOTr plans new Calamba train station

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will convert 22 hectares of land in Calamba City, Laguna province, into a depot for a new station of the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

The land will be used in building the Banlic Depot Site and Calamba Central Station, which is part of the DOTr’s bigger North-South Commuter Railway project.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday said the rail line is expected to partially operate in the fourth quarter of 2025, while full operations are expected to commence by 2028.

With the new railway link, commuters can travel from Alabang in Muntinlupa to Calamba in half an hour, Clark in Pampanga in one hour and 30 minutes, and Makati to Calamba in one hour. —MARIEJO S. RAMOS

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1459811/dotr-plans-new-calamba-train-station

PNR Calamba construction to employ 10,000 next year

 The Department of Transportation expects to start the construction of the 56-kilometer, P344.6-billion PNR Calamba line next year that will generate more than 10,000 direct jobs.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the project would provide employment opportunities not only for residents of Calamba but also from nearby municipalities.

He said employees and students would benefit from the operation of the PNR Calamba project which would significantly cut travel time between Metro Manila and Laguna, enabling them to spend more time with their families.

Tugade said the completion of the project would also boost local and regional economic development.

“If we are going to complete this, this would lift the economy of Calamba. Remember, this is a historical site. Imagine the benefits it would generate for tourism,” Tugade said.

One of the flagship projects of the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration, PNR Calamba is the third leg of the massive North-South Commuter Railway project. It will connect Metro Manila (Solis St., Tondo) and Calamba, Laguna and reduce travel time from four hours to just one hour.

The 56-kilometer railway project is expected to serve at least 340,000 passengers a day during its partial operations. Ridership is expected to increase up to 550,000 passengers once the railway is on full operation by 2028.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank, PNR Calamba’s 19 stations are located across five cities in Metro Manila and six cities in Laguna.

It will connect to the first two sections of the North-South Commuter Railway. Phase 1 of the NSCR Project is the construction of the P149.13-billion Malolos to Tutuban commuter railway that will be seamlessly integrated to the P283-8 billion PNR Clark Phase 2.

PNR Clark Phase 2 is a 54-kilometer rail line, which will connect Malolos, Bulacan and Clark, Pampanga.

The project will also feature the country’s first-ever Airport Express, which is expected to reduce travel time from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Makati City to about an hour.

The PNR Clark Phase 1 segment of NSCR, or the Tutuban-Malolos line, was scheduled to be partially operational by December 2021. It will be followed by the PNR Clark Phase 2 project, a 53-km northern segment.

The DOTR earlier announced plans to launch bidding for the operations and maintenance contracts for the Metro Manila Subway Project and North South Commuter Railway System.

DOTR Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the agency was expecting an approval from the National Economic and Development Authority to bid out the O&M for the two projects by the third quarter of 2021.

Dubbed as the “Project of the Century,” the P355-billion Metro Manila Subway is expected to serve 370,000 passengers daily in its first year of full operations.

https://manilastandard.net/business/economy-trade/359729/pnr-calamba-construction-to-employ-10-000-next-year.html

‘PNR Calamba project to create 10K jobs’

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Calamba project will generate 10,000 direct jobs once its construction starts next year.

“It is important to note that the project will provide more than 10,000 jobs during its construction phase. It is also important to note that this is just direct jobs,” he said, noting that it will also generate indirect jobs related to construction.

He added that the project will provide significant benefits to employees and students.

“The benefit of this project is that we will have faster mobility. Those who will benefit from these are mainly students going to their schools and workers going to their place of work,” Tugade said.

Aside from this, Tugade also expects the train system to “boost local and regional economic development.”

“Once we complete this, we are sure that the economy of Calamba, Laguna will expand. Remember, this is a historical site. Imagine the benefits it would generate for tourism.”

The PNR Calamba is the third phase of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project. The 56-kilometer railway aims to connect Metro Manila via Solis St., Tondo and Calamba, Laguna and cut travel time from current four hours to just one hour.

It is expected to serve at least 340,000 passengers a day during its partial operations, while ridership is expected to increase up to 550,000 passengers once the railway is on full operation in 2028. It will have 19 stations.

The project is funded by an official development assistance package from the Asian Development Bank and the the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

In May, Tugade said the train cars for the NSCR are set to arrive in the fourth quarter. He said the actual train cars will arrive in December, while a training simulator for the first phase of the PNR Clark Phase 1 will arrive between September and October. The DOTr chief has ordered the immediate completion of the first two segments of the NSCR project. So far, he said, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phases 1 and 2 are “on track.”

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/07/14/pnr-calamba-project-to-create-10k-jobs/

PNR Calamba to employ over 10,000 during construction

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) Calamba Project, the ₱344.6 billion South Commuter train line, will generate over 10,000 direct jobs once its construction starts next year, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade last night (July 13) announced.

The project will employ residents of Calamba and nearby areas, he added during his inspection of the PNR Banlic Depot in Calamba, Laguna yesterday.

Furthermore, the PNR Calamba project will benefit employees and students as the rail line will cut travel time going to and from workplaces and schools.

Needless to say, the railway will boost local and regional economic development. “Imagine the benefits it would generate for tourism,” he remarked.

It’s “game-changer”, Calamba City Mayor Justin Chipeco acknowledged.

PNR Calamba, the third leg of the massive North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, will connect Metro Manila (Solis St., Tondo) and Calamba, Laguna from the current four hours to just one hour.

The 56-kilometer railway project is expected to serve at least 340,000 passengers a day during its partial operations, while ridership is expected to increase up to 550,000 passengers once the railway is on full operation in 2028.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and with the Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), PNR Calamba’s 19 stations are located across five cities in Metro Manila and six cities in Laguna.

Opening of bids for the civil works of the depot begins today, July 14.

DOTr expects the awarding within three to four months before proceeding with the mobilization works.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/14/pnr-calamba-to-employ-over-10000-during-construction/

Duterte hails LRT-2 East Extension Project

By Azer Parrocha

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday hailed the construction of the PHP4.5 billion LRT-2 East Extension Project, assuring Filipinos that they would continue to reap the benefits of other projects under his administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

In his speech during the inauguration of the extended line, Duterte said the opening of two more LRT 2 stations— Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo – will increase the line’s daily capacity by 80,000 passengers.

“The usual three-hour travel from Recto, Manila to Masinag in Antipolo will now be just 40 minutes,” he said.

He noted that the project will also improve mobility and ensure transportation connectivity, especially in the eastern part of Metro Manila.

“Now, our commuters can travel faster, be more productive at work, and enjoy quality time with their loved ones, especially in the middle of this health crisis,” he added.

He thanked the workers and engineers behind the project’s planning and construction.

“Allow me to thank the hardworking and visionary workers and engineers who took part in the planning and construction of this railway extension and the two new stations that we open today,” he said.

He commended the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and all its private sector partners for the completion of the project despite the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Your efforts and determination show that our government stops at nothing to carry on with its mandate to serve the people’s interests no matter the circumstances,” he said.

Duterte guaranteed that the extended line and other developments would be “responsive” to the challenges of the 21st century.

“Let me assure you that we will fully reap the benefits of our ‘Build, Build, Build’ Program as we continue to overcome the pandemic and gradually reopen our economy,” he said.

He also encouraged the public to help the government in creating an environment that will allow the safe reopening of economic activities.

“We can do this by getting vaccinated against Covid-19 and continuing to follow minimum health standards at work and in public places, especially in public transportation facilities like the LRT. To my kababayans, I invite you to remain steadfast in this journey as we reach for our final destination of achieving a more comfortable and dignified life for every Filipino,” he added.

The LRT-2 East Extension Project is expected to help reduce traffic congestion along Marcos Highway, especially in Marikina, Pasig and Antipolo.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145686