South commuter railway to maximize resources

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday witnessed the signing of the contract for the South Commuter Railway Project as he reiterated the government’s commitment to pursue measures that would promote the recovery of the pandemic-stricken economy.

Marcos said the railway project shows the confidence of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners on the potential of the Philippines’ economy and workers.

“With the signing of these packages, we demonstrate to our people that we are serious about pursuing large projects for infrastructure to foster growth and revitalize our economy, in spite of the adjustments that we have had to make to compensate for the shocks that the world situation has brought to the Philippines,” the President said during the signing ceremony held in Laguna.

“We welcome this development at a time when we are going, and we have used this phrase often, full speed ahead towards modernization and our transport system and we are reclaiming our lives from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is what all of this truly means,” he added.

The South Commuter Railway Project is a 54.6-kilometer railway system comprising the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway that links Metro Manila to the northern and southern suburban areas in Luzon. It stretches from Blumentritt in Manila to Calamba City in Laguna and will have 18 stations.

Once completed, it is expected to accommodate 340,000 passengers per day and lessen traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Contract packages S-04, S-05, S-06 and S-07 of the North-South Commuter Railway were signed and awarded to the winning contractors to start the construction of 10 train stations that will traverse key areas in the southern portion of the project.

The two joint ventures that won the bid to construct the rail line come from South Korea, Turkiye and the Philippines. Total cost for the contracts signed yesterday is P90.19 billion to be sourced through a loan from the ADB.

The ADB has approved up to $4.3 billion to help fund the construction of the railway project. In a recent statement, the Manila-based lender said the project represents its biggest infrastructure investment and reflects its commitment to help the Philippines reduce poverty and attain economic growth.

Marcos thanked the ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for co-financing the North-South Commuter Railway System and reiterated the importance of forging partnerships in promoting development.

“Those partnerships are something that we hold very, very valuable, and for that, I once again have to thank them for their continuing interest in the Philippines and their continuing assistance and support and belief in the Philippines and the future of the Philippines,” the President said.– Elijah Felice Rosales