Two DOTr Railway Projects Get NEDA Nod

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two priority railway projects of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

The NEDA Board approved yesterday the Phase 2 of the PNR Manila – Clark Railway Project and Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project (Tagum-Davao-Digos segment). Part of the Build Build Build Infrastructure Program of the Duterte administration, the two railway projects are seen to decentralize economic activity and spread gains in the peripheries of Metro Manila all the way to the island of Mindanao.

Phase 2 of the PNR North Project, which refers to the Malolos – Clark line, will cost PHP211.4-Billion and will be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency via the Official Development Assistance platform. The 68.7-km line will have a total of seven stations from Malolos all the way to New Clark City. It will use the existing PNR alignment but will be elevated, electrified, and mostly run on dual tracks.

The Malolos-Clark segment is part of the entire 106-kilometer PNR North Project which starts in Tutuban, Manila. The entire alignment will have a total of 17 stations, five of which have been marked in a station marking ceremony last June 26. Construction will begin by the fourth quarter of this year.

In an effort to connect key cities in the country, PNR North is designed to be interoperable with the PNR South Commuter Line from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.

“We have been waiting for this project for more than 12 years. Now, you have a President, a no non-sense performer. You have a no non-sense cabinet. Wala pong bahid pulitika. Now, we are ready to put into a reality a dream that has been there for many years,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said during the Station Marking event.

Another priority project of the Duterte administration is the Mindanao Railway, the first rail system outside Luzon. Phase 1 is a 102-kilometer alignment connecting Tagum, Davao Del Norte – Davao City – Digos, Davao Del Sur. It will have eight stations: Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Davao Terminal, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos. The project will cost PHP35.257-Billion via general appropriations. Phase 1 will begin construction by the third quarter of 2018.

Once completed, the entire Mindanao Railway System will run for a total of 1,532-km, connecting Davao provinces, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga. The Mindanao Railway is expected to spur genuine growth and development in the region.

The DOTr targets to build and operate 1,500 kilometers of railways nationwide before the end of the term of President Duterte.