The Philippines Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the start of construction on six stations following signing of the contract for Package 1 of the PNR Clark Phase 1 railway project.
The PNR Clark Phase 1 railway, which will run from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, is a part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project.
The NSCR Project is a proposed railway line between Metro Manila, the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines and Legaspi City, the capital of Albay province.
The six stations of package 1 of the 37.6km PNR Clark Phase 1 include Solis, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Marilao and Bocaue.
The contract for the first package under the PNR Clark Phase 1 railway also includes civil works for elevated structures, a depot in Valenzuela. It was awarded to Taisei – D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) Joint Venture.
The second contract package covers the construction works for three stations, namely, Balagtas, Guiginto, and Malolos. Work on the package commenced in February 2019.
Philippines Department of Transportation secretary Tugade said: “Last February, we started the actual construction of 3 stations, from Bocaue to Malolos.
“Now we are here to start the second phase of PNR Clark 1, from Tutuban to Bocaue. Masasakyan at ma-eenjoy na ito ng ating mga kababayan, as today is a humble response to the President’s order to improve Filipino lives through enhanced mobility and connectivity.”
DOTr said that the PNR Clark Phase 1, upon fully operational by the last quarter of 2021, will reduce the travel time from Manila to Bulacan from one hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes.
DOTr undersecretary Batan said: “The North-South Commuter Railway System, or the combined and interoperable PNR Clark and PNR Calamba Projects, demonstrates the scale of what the DOTr, under the strong leadership of Secretary Tugade, is working triple, if not quadruple, time to deliver.
“It is indeed a most ambitious project that will usher in the Philippines’ ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure,’ and that will deliver our President’s promise of a more comfortable life to every Filipino.”