By Alec Go
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed commitment that the government will diligently complete the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project that is expected to benefit 800,000 passengers per day.
On Thursday, April 27, the contracts for NSCR’s South Commuter Section CPs S-02 and S-03b were signed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) along with Acciona Construction Philippines, Inc. and Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited, respectively.
“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,” he said.
“With the signing of these contracts, we will soon see the commencement of the third phase of the North-South Commuter Railway system — the South Commuter Section or the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP),” he added.
The CPs S-02 and S-03b contracts cover the 14-kilometer section that will run through Metro Manila of the 55.6-kilometer SCRP that connects Manila and Laguna. The entire railway project has a total length of 147.26 kilometers.
With this, all phases of the entire railway project are now in full swing.
“[The] completion of the full NSCR line will bring greater convenience for our commuters. It will offer an efficient and comfortable transport alternative that spans a great distance, connecting Pampanga to Manila and then to Laguna,” Marcos said.
“[It] promises speedier transactions, more quality time, and improved quality of life for all. Imagine the comfort and convenience of traveling via train from Clark International Airport to Calamba in just two hours,” he added.
The President asked for understanding from the public for the possible disruptions and inconvenience during the railway’s construction.
He also thanked the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for their assistance on the project and in the government’s “efforts to provide safe, sustainable, and efficient public transportation.” – cf
