MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Transportation (DOTR) celebrated a significant milestone in the ₱873.6-billion North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project on Feb 12, with the commencement of the first bored piling works in Cabuyao, Laguna for NSCR’s extension project.
The extension project, also known as the South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP), is covered by NSCR contract package S-06 and costs P25.83 billion. This involves the construction of a 10.3-kilometer railway from Cabuyao to Chipeco Ave. in Calamba City.
This inaugural bored pile will serve as the foundational support for Pier-1150 in Brgy. Mamatid, Cabuyao, setting the stage for the construction of a total of 357 piers crucial to the structural integrity of elevated viaducts in S-06.
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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 signifies a promising start for the DOTr as it looks forward to the continued progress and success of the SCRP.
The NSCR, a DOTr project jointly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), is a 147-kilometer modern rail system which will connect New Clark City to Calamba, Laguna. It will pass through Metro Manila and is expected to cut travel time from four to two hours.
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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. With 36 stations offering various services, including regular commuter, commuter express, and airport express lines to Clark International Airport, the NSCR will revolutionize transportation connectivity in the region.
The NSCR will 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. This underground transport system marks a historic milestone as the Philippines’ first mass underground transportation network, promising enhanced accessibility and convenience for commuters.