THE PHILIPPINES government announced on August 8 that it had approved plans for construction of the first stage of the planned North Rail express commuter railway, at an estimated cost of 27·6bn pesos. The project has been cleared by the Investment Co-ordination Committee of the National Economic Development Authority. NEDA Director of Public Investment Jonathan Uy said the government would contribute 20% of the cost, raised through commercial loans. The remainder would be contributed by the suppliers through international development assistance.
Phase I of the scheme covers a 32 km route from Caloocan City in Manila to Malolos, following the disused alignment of PNR’s Main Line North. The standard-gauge double-track line would be operated by a fleet of 30 four-car trainsets, serving intermediate stations at Valenzuela, Marilao, Bocaue and Guiginto.
The Housing & Urban Development Coordinating Council has been instructed to re-house an estimated 20000 families now squatting on the alignment, ready for civil works to start by next May. This work and stabilisation of the formation will be funded by a grant of 650m pesos from the Bases Conversion Development Authority. The second phase would see North Rail extended 67 km to the former Clark Air Force Base and electrified throughout.
- Transport & Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Siemens, Voestalpine and Systra for a feasibility study into reactivating the 120 km line linking Iloilo and Roxas on the island of Panay. The former Phividec Railway has been disused for around 20 years, and the three companies will undertake initial design work for its restoration, enabling competitive bids to be called for the construction phase. n
