LEGAZPI CTY, ALBAY (PIA) -- Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has announced the signing of contract for the first 380 kilometers of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Bicol project that will traverse from Banlic, Calamba, Laguna to Daraga, Albay.
The DOTR chief said this milestone is a huge leap towards the realization of the long-awaited PNR Bicol or the South Long Haul Project.
“On January 17, 2022, we have broken yet another record by signing the single largest rail contract of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the PNR Bicol Project's first 380 kilometers from Banlic, Calamba to Daraga, Albay,” Tugade said.
The first 380 kilometers railway will span 39 cities and municipalities, four provinces, and two regions. It will involve the construction of 23 stations, 230 bridges, ten passenger tunnels, and a 70-hectare depot in San Pablo, Laguna.
“For our kababayans in the South who have dreamt of the PNR Bicol project for so long, we are finally seeing the light of day,” he said.
The entire PNR Bicol project will consist of a 565-kilometer railway, connecting Metro Manila to the 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 kilometers per hour, while freight trains will run at a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour. During construction, the project is expected to generate more than 5,000 direct jobs per year.
The DOTR signed the P142-billion worth 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. (CREC JV), for the design, construction, and electromechanical works of the project.
“We are grateful to our development partners from China for supporting us in this endeavor and believing that the Filipino people deserve an improved quality of life,” Tugade added.
Listed in both the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchange, CREC JV ranked 35th on the Fortune Global 500 list and 5th among China's top 500 enterprises in 2021. (SAA/PIA5/Albay)
