PNR Calamba construction slated next year

MANILA, Philippines — Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be generated with the construction of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Calamba project which will commence next year, according to the Department of Transportation.

The PNR Calamba, the third leg of the massive North-South Commuter Railway project, will connect Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna, and cut travel time from the current four hours to just one hour.

It will have 19 stations located across five cities in Metro Manila and six cities in Laguna.

The 56-kilometer railway project is expected to serve at least 340,000 passengers daily during its partial operations, while ridership is expected to increase up to 550,000 passengers once the railway is on full operation in 2028.

The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and with official development assistance from the Asian Development Bank.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that aside from the direct employment opportunities, the project would also generate indirect jobs for Calamba residents and nearby areas.

Tugade said the project’s completion would also boost local and regional economic development.

Awarding of the civil works contract for the project is expected within three to four months.