The Department of Transportation (DOTr) called on Hitachi, the contractor of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Phase 1 to complete the project on time on Monday, January 30.
"We hope we will do this even earlier. We will work closely so that all issues are addressed so that we complete this project on time," Secretary Jaime Bautista stated during the signing of the Contract Package 04 (CP04) of the NSCR Phase 1.
"This part of the NSCR will carry the most number of passengers of the NSCR Project," he stressed.
The Japanese government, as well as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) along with the contractor Hitachi likewise committed to complete the project.
"We commit our support for the successful completion of the NSCR as build, better more program as a whole," pledged Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa.
The package for Electro-Mechanical Systems and Track Works, CP04, features the Design and Build Contract for the NSCR's first segment, including the design and main works for eight subsystems.
Composed of ten stations, the CP04 of NSCR Phase 1 has a total route length of 34.91 kilometers connecting Solis in Tondo, Manila and Malolos, Bulacan.
Bankrolled by JICA, the NSCR Phase 1 has a route length of 37.9-kilometers from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila.
It will ventually be connected to the NSCR-Extension Project, which passes from Calamba, Laguna to Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
Designed to operate under a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, the rail line will reduce travel time between Makati City and Clark International Airport in less than two hours through the Airport Express Service, while servicing 350,000 passengers daily.
The project will generate employment for 59,000 workers during construction and for 9,000 more for operations and maintenance.