The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced a milestone in the P873.6-billion North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCR-Ex) project, with the start of the first bored piling works for the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP) in Contract Package S-06 in Cabuyao, Laguna on Feb. 12, 2024.
The NSCR is a priority project of the Marcos administration which aims to connect New Clark City in Tarlac and Calamba in Laguna via a high-speed train.
“At the heart of this milestone stands the first bored pile out of 1,786 piles to be constructed for CP S-06 with a contract cost of P25.83 billion involving 10.3 kilometers of railway from Cabuyao to Chipeco Ave. in Calamba City,” the DOTr said in a statement.
The inaugural bored pile will serve as the foundational support for Pier-1150 in Barangay Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna, setting the stage for the construction of 357 piers crucial to the structural integrity of elevated viaducts in S-06.
Situated about 4.2 km. and 1.0 km. from the NSCR Cabuyao Station and NSCR Banlic Station, respectively, the completion of the first bored pile represents a promising start for the agency as it looks forward to the continued progress and success of the SCRP.
DOTr Undersecretary for railways Jeremy Regino likened the developments to the growth of mushrooms during the inauguration ceremony for CP S-04, S-05 and S-06 on Jan. 10, 2024,
He said the South Commuter Construction Delivery Division, in collaboration with all project management office members and stakeholders, remains committed to nurturing such ‘mushrooms’ of progress until the vision of DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista for comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable and affordable (CASSA) transportation for the Filipino people becomes a tangible reality.
The NSCR, expected to reduce travel time from New Clark City, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna from four hours to two hours, will significantly enhance commuters’ travel experience and provide motorists in Metro Manila with more transportation options.
The project, with 36 stations offering various services, including regular commuter, commuter express and airport express lines to Clark International Airport, will revolutionize transportation connectivity in the region, according to the department.
The NSCR will also seamlessly integrate with the Metro Manila Subway, a groundbreaking project spanning 33.1 kilometers from Valenzuela to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), featuring 17 stations and a depot.
The underground transport system also marks a milestone as the Philippines’ first mass underground transportation network, promising enhanced accessibility and convenience for commuters.