President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
April 27, 2023
“I am delighted that we are here now to formally initiate another flagship project that fully aligns with this Administration’s policy of ‘Build Better More’ infrastructure agenda,” expressed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he witnessed once again the fulfillment of the government’s commitment to improve the country’s transportation system with the ceremonial contract signing of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project – South Commuter Railway Project Section Contract Packages (CP) S-02 and S-03b held at the Malacañan Palace.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista inked the deal for CP S-02 with the winning bidder, Spanish multinational company Acciona Construction Philippines, Inc., in a joint venture with local construction firm D.M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI). This package is for the 7.9 kilometers railway viaduct that includes elevated stations at España, Sta. Mesa and Paco in Manila.
The Secretary also cemented the CP S-03b with the Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited, a Hong Kong-based unit of Australian company CIMIC Group, Inc., in partnership with local engineering company First Balfour, Inc. (FB). This package covers the civil engineering, tunnel and building works for a 6.1-kilometer railway with 4.7-kilometer underground railway and 1.4-kilometer at-grade railway, as well as the construction of a station with stops at the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) with tunneling works connecting to the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Senate Station.
CP S-02 and CP S-03b constitutes the third phase of the NSCR Project – South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP). It will make up the 14-kilometer stretch of the SCRP that will run through Metro Manila. With a total of 55.6 kilometers, the SCRP will connect Manila to Laguna through 18 stations that begin from Blumentritt, Manila and end in Calamba, Laguna.
“In a larger context, this is also an exciting prospect, because it means that all phases of the NSCR system are now officially in full swing,” the President pointed out. He extended gratitude to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as acknowlegded the partner contractors of the aforementioned contract packages, for their cooperation and being the country’s active partners in its infrastructure development.
In its entirety, the NSCR Project stretches to over 147.26 kilometers with a total of 35 stations with 51 commuter train sets and seven (7) express train sets operating along its rail line. Partial operations will begin in the third quarter of 2026 and full operations in 2029.
As it is expected to bring ease of mobility and connectivity within the National Capital Region (NCR), CALABARZON and Central Luzon, the NSCR Project is also set to generate a total of 110,000 direct and indirect employment during its construction phase. Once fully operational, it will cater to around 800,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time from Clark Airport in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna in less than two hours.
The Chief Executive asked for his countrymen’s continued support as construction of the project may cause unavoidable disruption and inconvenience. “To our beloved citizens: you remain at the core of all these pursuits. We are aware of the struggles you encounter daily, and strive hard to address them,” he conveyed.
“Rest assured, as with the other programs of this Administration, we will be diligent in finishing this project with excellence, with honesty, and with the proper urgency,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his message.
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