The Department of Transportation said it will hire the contractor that will build the Philippine National Railways Clark Phase 1 stretching from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan by the second quarter.
“DOTr understands the need to complete this project faster. That is why we pursued these works parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the second quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
Phase 1 of the PNR Clark Project involves the construction of the rail system along the 38-kilometer segment from Tutuban to Malolos.
Once completed in 2021, it will have 10 stations and is expected to service around 340,000 passengers daily.
The Japan International for Cooperation Agency handed the detailed engineering design of the project to DOTr, signaling the project’s transition from planning to actual construction.
The new railway will also use Japanese seismic designs to ensure commuter safety low emission electric trains for sustainability.