Malolos-Clark railway project attracts 6 potential bidders

MANILA, Philippines — The PNR Clark Phase 2 project continues to attract a number of foreign and local investors as six firms expressed interest to undertake two new contract packages under the P284-billion railway project.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday said one local and five international companies are vying for Contract Packages 4 and 5 of the PNR Clark Phase 2, a 53-kilometer segment from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga which will feature the country’s first airport express railway service.

Companies that submitted bids were Acciona of Spain, Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction and Posco Engineering & Construction, Indonesia’s PT Waskita and PT Wika, EEI of the Philippines.

The P32.7 billion Contract Package 4 covers eight kilometers of the PNR Clark Phase 2 and includes the Clark International Airport Station.

The P18.1 billion Contract Package 5, meanwhile, consists of the the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR)’s Clark Depot.

The DOTr said the level of participation for Contract Packages 4 and 5 is a proof of the infrastructure industry’s trust in the government’s Build Build Build program.

“The turnout of bidders for Packages 1 to 5 of PNR Clark Phase 2 is proof that competition and value for taxpayers’ money are enhanced with a bidding process that is transparent, fair, and corruption-free,” Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said.

“The vibrant turnout of proponents yet again for Contract Packages 4 and 5 reflects the solid support and trust of the international infrastructure industry in the Duterte administration. With a robust competition, we also raise the standard of quality of our infrastructures that shall, in the end, best serve the Filipino people,” PNR general manager Junn Magno said.

PNR Clark Phase 2, which is expected to serve 340,000 passengers daily in its opening year, is targeted for partial operations by 2022.

The rail line will reduce travel time between Malolos, Bulacan and Clark International Airport to just 30 to 35 minutes, and from Buendia in Makati to Clark Airport from two hours via car to just 55 minutes through the airport express.

The DOTr said target awarding for Contract Packages 4 and 5 is within the first quarter of next year, while packages 1, 2, and 3 will be awarded by December.

Last August, the DOTr received offers from nine international and two local companies, bidding as seven different joint ventures and sole bidders, for the first three contract packages of the PNR Clark Phase 2.

Package 1 covers civil works for 17 kilometers of PNR Clark Phase 2 including Calumpit and Apalit Stations. Package 2 covers civil works for 16 kilometers  including San Fernando Station, and Package 3 for 12 kilometers encompassing Angeles and Clark Stations.

The DOTr said bid submissions for the PNR Calamba Package 1 (one kilometer including Blumentritt Station) is set on Nov. 5.

Bidding for NSCR’s 304 commuter train cars, 56 airport express train cars, and electromechanical systems are also targeted to start within the last quarter of the year.

PNR Clark Phase 2 forms part of the P777.55 billion NSCR, a mega railway network spanning 148 kilometers with 37 stations which is co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.