Japanese firm asked to finish Manila-Malolos rail on time

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation

on Monday asked the Japanese contractor of the North South Commuter Railway Phase 1, or the TutubanMalolos segment, to complete the project on time.

“I call on Hitachi to complete the project on time. We hope we will do this even earlier. We will work closely so that all issues are addressed so that we complete this project on time,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the signing of the Contract Package 04 of the NSCR Phase 1.

The CP04 of NSCR Phase 1 will start construction by March this year and is expected to become operational by 2026.

Once completed, thousands of Filipinos are expected to benefit from the project with ease of mobility and accessible connectivity, Bautista said.

“This part of the NSCR will carry the most number of passengers of the NSCR Project,” he said, as he conveyed his gratitude to the gov- ernment of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the contractor Hitachi for supporting the rail infrastructure. The Japanese government also expressed commitment to completing the project.

Bankrolled by JICA, the NSCR Phase 1 has a route length of 37.9-kilometers from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila, and will be eventually connected to the NSCR-Extension Project, which passes from Calamba, Laguna to Clark International Airport in Pampanga.