The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has awarded the contract for the construction and design of the first 380 kilometers of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul project for P142 billion.
Last week, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade signed the DOTr’s single largest rail contract with the joint venture of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co. Ltd. and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co. Ltd. for the design, construction and electromechanical works of the project.
The first 380 km. of PNR Bicol from Banlic, Calamba to Daraga, Albay will span 39 cities and municipalities, four provinces and two regions.
It will involve the construction of 23 stations, 230 bridges, 10 passenger tunnels and a 70-hectare depot in San Pablo, Laguna.
“We welcome this development full of enthusiasm as we will be working with rail experts known for their efficiency and speed in building long haul railways. This, along with our earnest goal to provide comfort and convenience to our commuters, will make this dream project a reality,” said Junn Magno, PNR general manager.
The project will be financed through a loan from the Chinese government.
Huang Xilian, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, said the fastest and longest railway segment so far in the Philippines has found its contractor from China, another milestone for the China-Philippines cooperation.
“The project, one of the flagship projects under President Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, is so far the highest-funded government to government project between our two countries,” Xilian said.
Along with its future segments, PNR Bicol will consist of a 565-km. railway, connecting Metro Manila to the southern Luzon provinces of Sorsogon and Batangas.
Once fully operational, it will cut travel time between Metro Manila and Bicol from the current 12 hours by road to as short as four hours.
Passenger trains will run at a speed of up to 160 km. per hour, while freight trains will run at a speed of up to 100 km. per hour. During construction, the project is expected to generate more than 5,000 direct jobs per year.
