The dream of reviving the once thriving railway system to Bicol region is coming into light with the signing of P142-billion worth of Philippine National Railways (PNR) project.
But Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Art Tugade said the contract he signed on Monday, Jan. 17, is just the first 380 kilometers from Calamba City in Laguna to Daraga town of Albay.
The signing of the project would eventually lead to the completion of the a 565-kilometer that would connect Metro Manila to Batangas and as far as Sorsogon.
"Once fully operational, it will cut travel time between Metro Manila and Bicol from the current 12 hours by road to as short as 4 hours," said Tugade.
"Passenger trains will run at a speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour, while freight trains will run at a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour," he added.
Tugade said the entire PNR project is expected to generate more than 5,000 direct jobs per year.
The first 380-kilometer rail system under the Design-Build contract was signed with the Joint Venture of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co., Ltd., and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd. (CREC JV).
The project covers the design, construction, and electromechanical works for the project.
Listed in both the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchange, CREC JV ranked 35th on the Fortune Global 500 list and 5th among China's top 500 enterprises in 2021.
Tugade said the first 380 kilometers of PNR Bicol from Banlic, Calamba to Daraga, Albay will span 39 cities and municipalities, four provinces, and two regions.
"It will involve the construction of 23 stations, 230 bridges, 10 passenger tunnels, and a 70 hectare depot in San Pablo, Laguna," said Tugade.
The PNR is the main transport system of the Bicolanos in the past.