DMCI Holdings Inc. is teaming up with Japan’s Taisei Corp. for other big-ticket infrastructure projects in the country financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The joint venture of D.M. Consunji Inc., the construction arm of DMCI Holdings, and Taisei Consortium was awarded the P54-billion contract for North-South Commuter Rail Phase 1.
DMCI president Jorge Consunji said in an interview following the annual stockholders’ meeting that DMCI and Taisei were jointly looking at other Jica projects in the country, including the $1.54-billion subway project and the south commuter line project from Calamba City to Naga City.
The NSCR is the first joint venture partnership between DMCI and Taisei. The project involves the construction of around 22 kilometers of elevated viaduct structures, six stations and a depot in Valenzuela City.
Designed to be completed in 42 months, NSCR Phase 1 will use the existing alignment of the Philippine National Railway which runs from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban in Manila.
The trains will have a maximum operating speed of 120 kilometers per hour.
Once completed, the railway will shorten travel time between Malolos and Tutuban to just 35 minutes from one hour and 30 minutes. The rail line is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
DMCI said it would employ up to 5,000 direct and indirect workers within the next 30 months to meet the manpower requirements of the project.
It said that to support the railway construction activities, DMCI would earmark P2 billion in capital expenditures over the next two years, the bulk of which would be used to acquire construction equipment.
“Building mass transport systems and high-impact infrastructure is part of our DNA. We are very excited and grateful to be part of this game-changing project for our country,” Consunji said.
NSCR Phase 1 is the fifth railway project of DMCI. The company was also involved in the construction of LRT Line 1 North Extension, LRT Line 2 East Extension, two PNR projects and the Dubai Monorail in the United Arab Emirates.
Taisei Corp. is the contractor behind the Iloilo International Airport.
