THE Department of Transportation (DOTR) is committed to make the dreams of the railway sector possible.
Thus remarked DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, who said the current structures being built for the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) are a manifestation of the department’s commitment to concretize the plans that were made years ago.
During a recent inspection of the construction of the PNR Clark Phase 1, Tugade said the department is determined in “making the hopes and dreams” for the country’s railway sector possible.”
“We might be nearing the end of our term, but you will see that we continue to work towards building what was previously just a feasibility study for the previous administration,” he said.
Tugade added that the government is building a train simulator and training center to ensure that the management and operations of the railway system are on a par with standards.
Tugade earlier disclosed that trains for the PNR Clark Phase 1 are set to arrive in December.
The overall progress rate of the PNR Clark Phase 1 is 46.68 percent, with girder piles set to be deployed over the next two weeks.
Part of the massive North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, this is a 38-kilometer railway that cuts through the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela, and the municipalities of Meycuayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Malolos City in Bulacan.
The railway is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily and cut travel time from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan from one hour and 30 minutes, to just 35 minutes.
The second leg of the NSCR, which is the PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark), is a 53-kilometer railway line that will also feature an airport express service.
The rail segment will slash travel time from Clark International Airport to Makati City from 1.5 hours to 30 to 35 minutes.
PNR Clark Phase 2 is being built concurrent with the construction of the first phase. The third phase, meanwhile, will connect Manila to Calamba, Laguna.