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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider DOTr opens bidding for ₱229-billion NSCR operations, maintenance

DOTr opens bidding for ₱229-billion NSCR operations, maintenance

Published Oct 22, 2025 12:01 am  |  Updated Oct 22, 2025 06:26 am
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has opened the bidding for the ₱229-billion contract to operate and maintain the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
In an invitation to bid published on the PPP Center’s website, the DOTr said it has now opened the bidding to all interested parties for the operations and maintenance (O&M) contract of NSCR.
The DOTr and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) are the implementing agencies of the PPP deal, managing the entire bidding process.
As the largest railway project in the country, the agency is inviting both foreign and local companies to participate in the bidding, subject to the conditions outlined in the bidding document and applicable laws.
While open to all private firms, the DOTr stated that interested bidders must possess a net worth of at least ₱114.65 billion.
The DOTr is keen on partnering with a “highly qualified private sector partner” that will ensure the efficient and sustainable operations and maintenance of the NSCR in accordance with the highest industry standards.
“The ultimate objective of the project is to deliver a reliable, safe, and world-class commuter rail service that meets the needs of the public and supports sustainable urban mobility,” it said.
Based on the bidding schedule, the DOTr will issue the draft concession agreement on Nov. 7, with the pre-bid conference scheduled on Nov. 20.
Following the conduct of site visits and one-on-one meetings, the issuance of the final bid bulletin and concession agreement will be on April 30, 2026.
The tentative deadline for bid submissions is on May 29, 2026.
To join the bidding and access the virtual data room, companies must pay a non-refundable participation fee of ₱1.16 million or $20,000.
Bidders are required to execute a confidentiality undertaking to ensure that information about NSCR may not be disclosed or used other than for the purposes of the bid preparation.
Following the DOTr’s market sounding activities to pitch the O&M in Manila, Singapore, Paris, and Tokyo, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that up to five foreign and local companies have expressed interest in bidding for the project.
This, he said, reflects the strong investor confidence for the 147-kilometer railway interest amid corruption scandals that have hounded the public works sector.
Lopez noted that the DOTr’s projects are primarily financed through official development assistance (ODA), with its partner funders also conducting due diligence to ensure that they are free from irregularities.
The DOTr is planning to onboard an operator months ahead of the scheduled start of the NSCR’s pre-operations in December 2027. Full operations of the railway are targeted for January 2032.
The future NSCR operator will oversee trains, depots, stations, guideways, electromechanical systems, auxiliary facilities, and interoperations with the under-construction Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).
Spanning 35 stations, the NSCR seeks to accommodate 750,000 passengers daily at full operations.
The project will connect Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna.

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