Five groups to vie for P171-billion rail project

By Daryl Rose Virtudazo

Five groups have expressed interest in the P 171 billion North-South Railway Project (South Line) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) under the government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program. 

The San Miguel Holdings Corporation, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, IL&FS Transport Networks Limited and Fluor Daniel Pacific Inc. have purchased the prequalification documents of the project.

The DOTC moved the submission of the qualification documents from February 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016.

The winning bidder will design, construct, install, commission, finance, operate, and maintain the existing 56 km commuter rail line from Tutuban, Manila to Calamba City, Laguna. It is also expected to do the same for the 478 km long haul rail operations from Tutuban to Legazpi City with the possible spur lines extension of 58 km from Calamba City to Batangas City and 117 km from Legazpi City to Matnog, Sorsogon.

This PPP project is part of the government’s efforts to promote inclusive growth by reviving and extending the existing Philippine National Railways line.

To date, fourteen PPP projects worth USD 12.36 billion are under procurement while twelve has already been awarded by the government and three namely the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, Automatic Fare Collection System and PPP for School Infrastructure Project Phase I has already been completed.