Biggest PPP project at P171 B: Manila-Bicol railway system attracts 5 firms

MANILA, Philippines – Five firms have so far expressed interest in the P171-billion South Line of the North South Railway Project (NSRP) under the public-private partnership (PPP) program.

“The complete list of those who have bought NSRP documents are Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., San Miguel Corp., IL&FS, and Fluor Daniels,” PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao said in a text message yesterday.

The project involves the construction, rehabilitation, extension, as well as operation and maintenance of the proposed South Line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

The proposed NSRP South Line covers Metro Manila to Legazpi City, Albay, plus a number of existing and proposed branch lines totaling approximately 653 kilometers.

The project will have commuter railway operations between Tutuban and Calamba in Laguna, and long-haul railway operations between Tutuban and Legazpi, including extended long-haul rail operations on the branch line between Calamba and Batangas and extension between Legazpi and Matnog in Sorsogon.

At present, the commuter line service of the PNR from Tutuban to Calamba serves around 75,000 commuters daily.

The aim is to connect Metro Manila to currently underserved areas in Southern Luzon.

Upon operations of the entire railway by 2020, the South Line is expected to have 10 daily trips with seven train sets passing through 66 stations.

It is likewise expected to serve a total of 316,000 passengers per day on its opening year.

The deadline for submission of the pre-qualification documents for the NSRP South Line project is on March 31.

The NSRP South Line deal is the biggest project being offered under the PPP scheme.

The PPP program is being implemented in order to develop infrastructure necessary to support the country’s economic growth.