The Department of Transportation (DOTr), along with the Philippine National Railways (PNR), on Monday, July 3, broke ground for the P73.25-B South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP), the Alabang-Calamba leg of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System.

A flagship project under the ‘Build Better More’ Program, the 147.26-km NSCR system aims to seamlessly connect Clark, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna.

It will link Metro Manila to its neighboring provinces from 4-4.5 hours travel time, to just less than two hours.

An elevated, double-track and electrified train system will be constructed along the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) existing route from Alabang to Calamba, according to DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.

The project is co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Earlier, the DOTr awarded three contract packages - Ps S-04, S-05 and S-06, to the joint venture of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd and Dong-Ah Geological Engineering Company Ltd.

CP S-04 covers the building and civil engineering works for about 8.5 km of railway viaduct structure including elevated stations at Alabang and Muntinlupa.

CP S-05 includes the building and civil engineering works for about 12.8 km of railway viaduct structure including elevated stations at San Pedro, Pacita, Biñan, and Santa Rosa.

On the other hand, CP S-06 includes the building and civil engineering works for around 10.2 km of railway viaduct structure including elevated stations at Cabuyao, Banlic, and Calamba.