Railroad Infrastructures and Transportation - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 4

bustero

May 20th, 2006, 06:47 PM

It can be done, if it’s done right.

People who regularly drive through the portion of South Superhighway in Makati City have been pleasantly surprised lately by the absence of the colonies of “informal settlers” (as squatters are now called in these PC days) along either side of the railway tracks.

Where once 3,500 families lived cheek-by-jowl in makeshift homes mere inches from the trains when they pass, there is now clear space. The only evidence of settlements past is the rubble from concrete houses that began as humble lean-tos made of the flimsiest materials.

Officials report that the entire stretch of railroad track from the ill-conceived Ramos-era “Pabahay sa Riles” housing projects near Quirino Avenue in Manila to the Sales Interchange outside Fort Bonifacio has been cleared of squatters. In a final triumph of sanity and law and order, nearly all of them demolished their own homes.

There was a trade-off, though. This is, after, the post-Lina Law period, when every squatter who leaves must be provided for, never mind if they settled illegally and paid no rent or taxes whatsoever during their entire stay in places where they shouldn’t.

As part of the resettlement package, qualified families were given 40-sqm homelots in Cabuyao, Laguna, a P50,000 loan each for construction materials (that will in all likelihood never get paid back) and— in a new and inspired twist to the relocation game—three years of free rides on the trains of the Philippine National Railways.

The clearing operations, after all, are part of the South Railway Project, or Southrail, half of the plan to rehabilitate the railway links of the metropolis to the provinces. It makes sense, too, that the free rides were thrown in to address the oft-heard complaint of squatters that they are resettled far from their places of livelihood.

It’s kind of strange to be praising piles of rubble on the ground—as yet, there are no trees or plants to beautify the newly cleared areas, which can in no way be described now as idyllic. Still, it’s refreshing to be confronted with sudden, unexpected evidence of things working for a change— especially when one is becoming inured to the bedlam and anarchy that seem to be the rule instead of the exception.

Hey, even if not a single one of those new, improved trains run on the new, cleared-away tracks, the resettlement will already have been a success, in my book.

* * *

Officials of the National Housing Authority, which is faced with the seemingly impossible task of removing the squatters from the Makati tracks, deserve congratulations. They worked with the local government of Makati, the squatters’ groups and their NGO support systems and the various official agencies involved in the Southrail project to successfully clear the way, literally, for the transport project.

The Southrail relocation program was even more successful than the Northrail clearing operations—even if the government says 90 percent of the people living by the railroad in Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela and parts of Bulacan also voluntarily relocated. “It’s just the 10 percent that fought the demolition teams, and then some of them already took the government’s money for relocation,” an NHA official says.

According to the grand railroad rehabilitation scheme, the tracks have to be cleared because the new trains will be bigger and faster and will be less efficient if they have to slow down when they hit any thickly populated areas in the metropolis—which is virtually every place where a piece of aging, usable track still exists.

Indeed, for a country that used to have a remarkably advanced (for its time) and long-running railway line, the Philippines has been steadily going backward instead of forward as far as train technology and use is concerned. The PNR, from being the proud operator of the country’s trains, has degenerated into the most ineffective (some say most corrupt) transport agency of the government.

And yet, trains are still the cheapest, most reliable means of moving people and cargo. The United States would come to a standstill if its trains did not run and all of Europe would not be as prosperous without the Continent-girding Eurail system. Even in poor countries like India and Pakistan, trains are the best means of getting from point A to point B—and the means of transport most accessible to the masses.

Again, while the long-overdue rehabilitation of our railway system is a consummation devoutly to be wished, it’s good to know that the work towards that end has already started —away from the political and ideological noise and the constant saber-rattling.

And it restores your faith to see things in that new (and newly cleared) light. So let’s get on with the program, people. It’s a damn sight better than the usual, debilitating gloom and doom.

(jojo.robles@manilastandardtoday.com)

marites4

May 20th, 2006, 07:04 PM

SAna dun din sa giled ng south super highway irelocate and haba kase nun at hindi lang sana takpan at pinturahan na nakikita ren naman.

bustero

May 20th, 2006, 07:18 PM

From NEDA http://www.neda.gov.ph/opm/LoanData.asp?ProjectVar=Southrail

Project Title :
NORTHRAIL-SOUTHRAIL LINKAGE PROJECT / SOUTH MANILA COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT PHASE 1
Fund Source : KEXIM / EDCF-Korea
Loan No. : PHL-7 / PHL-7
Loan Amount in Original Currency : 15,420,000.00 (USD) / 35,000,000.00 (USD)
Sector : Infrastructure Development/ Transportation/ Rails
Implementing Agency : PNR
Participating Agencies :
Region(s) :
Province(s) :

Signing Date : May. 07, 2004 / May. 07, 2004
Effectivity Date : Mar. 16, 2005 / Mar. 16, 2005
Original Closing Date
:
_ / _
Revised Closing Date : _ / _
Interest Rate : 5.11 / 2.5
Commitment Charges : 0.3% /
Maturity Period : 10 / 30
Grace Period : _ / 10
Cancellation : _ / _
Beneficiaries : General populace; commuters
Description : The project involves the repair and improvement of 34.05 km track length, 18 stations, the reconstruction of 2 bridges, installation of signalling and communication systems, right of way fencing and the procurement of 7 diesel multiple units (DMU) type of rolling stocks. It will cover the south line of PNR from Caloocan to Alabang.
COMPONENTS

NORTHRAIL-SOUTHRAIL LINKAGE PROJECT / SOUTH MANILA COMMUTER RAIL PROJECT PHASE 1

Cost

Target at end of Project
Original

Revised
Improvement and rehabilitation of tracks and other civil works 712,040,000.00
Rehabilitation of Major Bridges 235,704,000.00
Fencing 19,992,000.00
Improvement of Stations and Depot 134,288,000.00
Supply of 21 Diesel Multiple Units 1,604,064,000.00
Consultancy Services for Design and Construction Supervision 70,672,000.00
Service Charges 1,960,000.00
Contingency 44,800,000.00

As can be seen most of the money goes to the rolling stock 21 units. Which is good, another big chunk goes to squatter relocation.

Here's a mock up of a Rotem DMU unit. As far as I know Korea has only one DMU train car set manufacturer and it's rotem. Their website isn't too efficient but anyway here's what they wanted to deliver to another client, hopefully the ones they will bring here will look similar to this.http://www.transitalk.info/photos/tlogan/405/TTA_Rotem_Demo.jpg

lochinvar

May 20th, 2006, 08:33 PM

Wow, bustero, you've given us a lot of excellent info. I can't wait for this rehabilitation to get enforced. That's a nice train car.

richard24

May 20th, 2006, 08:56 PM

wow... cool train... hope the ones we get look like that.. :) :colgate: :)

i just want to ask.. (this may sound like a stupid question)

if the southrail rehab starts, will the operations of the current trains stop? how long?

lochinvar

May 20th, 2006, 09:04 PM

"i just want to ask.. (this may sound like a stupid question)"

During his earlier days, Admiral Hyman Rickover used to ask questions that may seem too simple. Later on a lot of his colleagues thanked him for they learned a lot because of his inquisitiveness. Rickover, who was Pres. Carter's boss when he was an ensign, is today the recognized father of the nuclear navy of the U.S.

richard24

May 21st, 2006, 12:35 PM

its pretty old (year 2000 ata)... pero it has pretty good info... lalo na tungkol sa BGC connection.

http://www.louisberger.com/berger/world/2000q2/frameph.html

Studying SouthRail, Philippines
Metropolitan Manila, population 11 million, has grown rapidly since the economic liberalization of the early 1990s, particularly in the industrialized southern corridor, the city's primary growth zone. In spite of increasing congestion, expansion persists along this corridor and current traffic volumes, approaching one million, are expected to double by 2005. As much of the industry producing high value goods, as well as the population, depends on reliable and fast transport facilities, increasing the capacity of the southern corridor is clearly a priority.

The Berger Group was selected by a consortium led by the Asian Construction and Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Philippine Bases Conversion and Development Authority, to study the proposed SouthRail passenger and container service from Manila to the port of Batangas. The Team undertook an exhaustive analysis of the proposed investment, including inventory of existing facilities, current and anticipated land use and economic activities in the corridor; prepared traffic projections; analyzed alternative facilities and systems; and reviewed potential public and private sector financing plans and regulations, as well as economic, social and environmental impacts and benefits.

It was determined that the proposed $1.7 billion system would carry more than 340,000 passengers and 1,300 containers daily on the highest traffic sections based on three services: dedicated container trains running the full length of the line, servicing Manila and Batangas ports with an intermediate container terminal located at Calamba; a high-density commuter service from Calamba and Alabang to Manila's Fort Bonifacio area; and convenient passenger train service operating as shuttles from Batangas to Calamba. The project also offered numerous joint commercial development opportunities at passenger stations, as well as new residential and commercial development resulting from the improved transportation network. In addition to a projected 20.5 percent financial rate of return for the most attractive set of investments, the Team determined that SouthRail would also provide significant economic, social and environmental improvements to the regional and national economy.

Under the direction of Richard Hirsch, senior vice president, the Berger Team included Ossi Rakkonen and Lindner Bongaardt, Jr., transport planners; Nikhil Bhandari, transport engineer; and David Coombs, rail economist.

------------------------------------------
in fairness nalito ako. pero at least clear na that north and southrail will also have a "grand central" in BGC aside from the one in caloocan-monumento... :)

bustero

May 21st, 2006, 01:11 PM

no idea on the rehab question, I don't think they're changing tracks so maybe it will have intermitent service.

I'm just getting my info from the net. walang magawa kasi this weekend so just got OC over the north/southrail and the trains:)

Dueller23

May 22nd, 2006, 04:15 AM

bustero

May 22nd, 2006, 02:28 PM

Welcome guys hopefully these projects takeoff real soon already so that we can see them, i quite excited over these projects as they look like they're really quite beneficial to all of us.

I've been trying to get pix of the CNMEG trains but to no avail. Too many chinese trains and this China National Mech and Eng Group is so big am not sure which is coming here. Unlike Rotem if you google them they show up immediately. Plus it indicates they're making deliveries to the Phil!

BTW here's a good map I found in wikipedia, not yet complete but heading for this direction
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/MetroManilaComplete.JPG

credit to wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MetroManilaComplete.JPG

DoggMann

May 23rd, 2006, 05:01 AM

:eek2: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :applause: ANG GANDA!!!

marites4

May 23rd, 2006, 05:17 AM

which line will be closest going to pasig.

bustero

May 23rd, 2006, 06:50 AM

Not sure. IF the north rail will be aligned that way then part of it will go to pasig probably near the pasig blvd, c5 intersection. This looks like it will have conflict with the line 6 or 8 which is not in the picture but has already been approved by neda icc I think. Anyway this is the line that goes from mapa station in sta mesa all along shaw boulevard till pasig then on the way to angono for east manila rail traffic.

stephencua

May 23rd, 2006, 07:07 AM

ive passed by the old paco station recently and it had a sign saying that the mmda would renovate it part of the metro gwapo program.. maybe it would be a prelude to its future use?

KiBeN

May 23rd, 2006, 09:17 AM

ive passed by the old paco station recently and it had a sign saying that the mmda would renovate it part of the metro gwapo program.. maybe it would be a prelude to its future use?
that's good, but I want its old design style, para ma-preserve naman yung old structures sa Metro. :)

bustero

May 23rd, 2006, 09:48 AM

^^ definitely they willretain it's looks. Supposed to be one of the , if not THE main rail station now that tutuban is basically a mall.

KiBeN

May 23rd, 2006, 09:57 AM

Tutuban, tagalog ba yun? if ever, yun lang ba ang mall sa Metro na tagalog ang name ng mall? hehehe, most malls kasi english names eh...

lochinvar

May 23rd, 2006, 10:07 AM

Tutuban is German.

So Jung Komma Nimma Z'samm

KiBeN

May 23rd, 2006, 10:14 AM

wow, German pala yun, so walang mall na tagalog ang name in the Metro? hehe

richard24

May 23rd, 2006, 10:15 AM

hindi ko na maintindihan ung system ng north and southrail...... nakakalito. :sleepy: :lol: :colgate:

ive passed by the old paco station recently and it had a sign saying that the mmda would renovate it part of the metro gwapo program.. maybe it would be a prelude to its future use?

i hope it wont be pink... :lol:

KiBeN

May 23rd, 2006, 10:40 AM

wag naman pink, hehehe :rofl:

Sinjin P.

May 23rd, 2006, 10:43 AM

wow, German pala yun, so walang mall na tagalog ang name in the Metro? hehe

I think I heard a mall named Masagana, not quite sure though. :D

bustero

May 24th, 2006, 09:17 AM

^^yup it's a very small mall along taft in front of pgh.

richard what is it that you don't understand with the northrail and southrail.

richard24

May 24th, 2006, 03:53 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3e/MetroManilaComplete.JPG

is the circular rail still going to be underground? seems it is.
sa part kasi na nagka overlap ung subway at southrail magkaiba ung stations...

parang un-practical na po ata ung circular rail... it overlaps both southrail and the proposed mrt8.. medyo lito din ako kung pano na magiging interchangable un?

if i'll be coming from alabang southrail station and i want to go to FBGC i still need to go to caloocan before riding the subway to bgc? (mag-car na lang ako... hehehe... :colgate: )

sorry po sa panggugulo ko... :)

KiBeN

May 24th, 2006, 04:08 PM

maski din naman ako nalilito eh... hehehehe, as in super!!! hahahahahaha

a00556425

June 1st, 2006, 02:05 AM

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3365/no3eh.jpg
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1959/no18vh.jpg

Anybody have new pictures of North Rail?

bustero

June 1st, 2006, 04:56 AM

I think at this point final alignment of the pahse north rail line is still in question. When you do a project there are changes in the detailed design phase many times specially for big infrastructure like this. I think the initial idea is to have it below ground in certain areas. And if there is a feeder line to NAIA then I'm sure there will be a station where the feeder line from Boni crosses South Rail.

The alignment of MRT8 on the other hand seems to be moving. The article in the mrt thread has mendoza sayingthat the line now starts in cubao not mapa. So let's see.

JAMAICUS

June 5th, 2006, 08:20 AM

RP to offer South Rail project for Chinese funding
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 06/05/2006

Despite a delay in the Chinese-funded $503-million North Rail Transit project, the Philippine government plans to offer the project’s southern counterpart again for funding from the People’s Republic of China.

Philippine economic officials are expected to discuss the funding plans for the P6.6-billion South Commuter Rail project with Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai who arrived over the weekend to attend the Philippine-China Economic Partnership Forum.

China’s political counsellor to the Philippines Deng Xijun has admitted that the South Rail project has been identified for possible funding but clarified that there is still no commitment from their government, especially since the North Rail project has not even started yet.

North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail), a subsidiary of the state-owned Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), held groundbreaking rites for the initial phase of the project – from Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan – only last April.

The project, when completed, will extend to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga, the Subic Freeport Zone, to the Poro Point Special Economic Zone in San Fernando, La Union.

Out of the total $503 million project cost, $421 million will be funded by the Chinese government through the Export-Import Bank of China under very concessional terms. The terms include 20 years repayment period inclusive of a five-year grace period at three percent interest rate.

The remaining $82 million will be funded by the Philippine government as counterpart fund which would already incorporate expenses for squatter relocation.

The North Rail project has encountered delays due to controversies regarding the bidding of the project and the relocation of squatter communities along the rail route.

On the other hand, the South Rail Project would provide a railway system stretching from Caloocan to Calamba in Laguna, including the south line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) from Caloocan to Alabang in Muntinlupa under Phase I worth P3.3 billion.

The PNR had originally eyed funding of P2.5 billion or 78 percent of the project from the Korean Export Import Bank (KOEXIM) as foreign cost component, while the remaining P800 million or 22 percent would be shouldered by the government.

The project is seen to enhance the public transportation system in Metro Manila by helping decongest traffic and at the same time make the areas south of Manila more accessible.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606050712.htm

chixbebe

June 5th, 2006, 09:31 AM

Proponents led by North Luzon Railways Corp., president Jose Cortes Jr. and Chinese officials made another inspection in the cities of Caloocan and Valenzuela as part of the preconstruction phase of the multibillion-peso project.

Cortes, who is also undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication accompanied Zhang Chun, director general of China National Machinery and Equipment Group, the designer of the rail system and Su Zhong and Li Jichen, vice president and general manager for export credit of Export-Import Bank of China, during their onsite-assessment visit.

Eximbank of China has extended a soft loan of $421 million for the Metro Manila-Clark Special Zone rail link, ahead of an investment package lined up at the start of the construction phase.

“The investment by Chinese businessmen alone will reach up to $25 billion. It is included in the agreement that they [Chinese investors] are to witness the start of the construction,” he said.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=police02_june05_2006

richard24

June 5th, 2006, 09:43 AM

@a00556425 are those pix new?
if they're new, sa southrail yan noh.. hehehe... i often see trains that say Northrail passing through the south line... :)

btw... sarap sumakay sa ganyan... na-experience ko na.. hehehe... sobrang enjoi... :colgate:

bustero

June 5th, 2006, 10:40 AM

Beat me to the punch, but I'm curious about the part in bold, what do they mean HAD, does this mean the korean trains and funding are not out??? I thought this was a go already!

RP to offer South Rail project for Chinese funding
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 06/05/2006

Despite a delay in the Chinese-funded $503-million North Rail Transit project, the Philippine government plans to offer the project’s southern counterpart again for funding from the People’s Republic of China.

Philippine economic officials are expected to discuss the funding plans for the P6.6-billion South Commuter Rail project with Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai who arrived over the weekend to attend the Philippine-China Economic Partnership Forum.

China’s political counsellor to the Philippines Deng Xijun has admitted that the South Rail project has been identified for possible funding but clarified that there is still no commitment from their government, especially since the North Rail project has not even started yet.

North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail), a subsidiary of the state-owned Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), held groundbreaking rites for the initial phase of the project – from Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan – only last April.

The project, when completed, will extend to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga, the Subic Freeport Zone, to the Poro Point Special Economic Zone in San Fernando, La Union.

Out of the total $503 million project cost, $421 million will be funded by the Chinese government through the Export-Import Bank of China under very concessional terms. The terms include 20 years repayment period inclusive of a five-year grace period at three percent interest rate.

The remaining $82 million will be funded by the Philippine government as counterpart fund which would already incorporate expenses for squatter relocation.

The North Rail project has encountered delays due to controversies regarding the bidding of the project and the relocation of squatter communities along the rail route.

On the other hand, the South Rail Project would provide a railway system stretching from Caloocan to Calamba in Laguna, including the south line of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) from Caloocan to Alabang in Muntinlupa under Phase I worth P3.3 billion.

The PNR had originally eyed funding of P2.5 billion or 78 percent of the project from the Korean Export Import Bank (KOEXIM) as foreign cost component, while the remaining P800 million or 22 percent would be shouldered by the government.

The project is seen to enhance the public transportation system in Metro Manila by helping decongest traffic and at the same time make the areas south of Manila more accessible.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200606050712.htm

bustero

June 6th, 2006, 06:03 AM

I can't get the article out of businessworld today, but the administrator of Northrail Mr. Cortes was saying that CNMEG had already rented some space from NFA for a yard to start construction. Apparently it's supposed to proceed starting August of this year and the line will be operational starting 2009.

stephencua

June 7th, 2006, 03:46 AM

^^ in relation to the post above, there is this article in the inquirer today about the southrail and the chinese.. i cant find it on the net though..

bustero

June 7th, 2006, 05:34 AM

Here's something from businessworld about PNR.

Vol. XIX, No. 224
Wednesday, June 7, 2006 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Corporate News

By MARICEL E. ESTAVILLO, Reporter
PNR privatization on track

The sale of the cash-strapped Philippine National Railways (PNR) is on track with the expected release of the P2 billion worth of zero coupon bonds from the National Development Co. (NDC) to rehabilitate the rail system.

PNR General Manager Jose Ma. I. Sarasola II said in a recent interview that the fresh fund -- payable in 10 years -- will be made available anytime between the latter part of this month and early next month.

Mr. Sarasola said P1 billion of the total amount will be used for the clearing of the Caloocan-to-Alabang railroad track, a prerequisite in the rehabilitation of the Southrail.

The rehabilitation of the South-rail, which includes the construction of 18 stations, the reconstruction of two bridges and the purchase of seven airconditioned three-car diesel trains, has been stalled for about two years now despite the $100-million official development assistance pledged for the project by the Korean Export-Import Bank.

With the release of the NDC loan package, PNR will now have the counterpart funds for clearing the project’s right-of-way.

"We hope to complete within the year the relocation of some 30,000 families [that will be displaced] from Caloocan to Alabang," Mr. Sarasola said.

The remaining P1 billion will be used to pay the long-overdue insurance benefit package for its employees and for the immediate retirement of some PNR employees.

"The remaining P1 billion will go towards the GSIS [Government Service Insuarance System] of our people na 20 years na naming di nababayaran (who we haven’t paid in the last 20 years) and the balance of that will go to the retirement of 1,000 employees," Mr. Sarasola said.

PNR has used its 1.5-hectare property in Divisoria in the city of Manila as collateral for the loan, Mr. Sarasola said.

The property used to be the Tutuban station of PNR, but is currently used as a mall which is run by Tutuban Properties Inc., a subsidiary of publicly listed Prime Orion Philippines Inc.

Once the rationalization is completed, Mr. Sarasola said PNR will maintain a lean organization of just 500 employees.

"With this, PNR will enter into a new phase, attuned with our goal to eventually privatize our operation," Mr. Sarasola said.

The government is encouraging the private sector to invest in operating and maintaining the rail system. But the government still wants to retain control of the facilities, Mr. Sarasola explained.

DoggMann

June 7th, 2006, 10:39 PM

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006060866214.html

China keen on funding extended South Rail line

By BERNIE CAHILES–MAGKILAT

The Chinese government is keen on funding the second phase of the P6.6-billion South Manila Commuter Rail Project and favors extending it all the way to Sorsogon, in the Bicol Region, said Speaker Jose de Venecia at the close of the Philippine-China Economic Partnership Forum.

The Calamba-Quezon stretch alone has an estimated financing of 0 million from the Chinese government.

De Venecia, who initiated the Philippine-China Economic Partnership Forum, said the South Rail would be the next target of the government’s mass transit rehabilitation development program.

"Economic cooperation between our two governments has expanded in many sectors – notably in China’s agreement to rebuild our broken down railway system," De Venecia said.

"Apart from North Rail, China is interested in the rebuilding of South Rail to the Bicol region," De Venecia said.

At present, China is extending 0 million for the North Rail project, which benefits Metro Manila to Clark and even up to Ilocos.

The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) of NEDA has already approved the first phase of the P6.6-billion South Manila Commuter Rail Project that would pave the way for commuters to enjoy a fast, safe, reliable and comfortable travel through and from Caloocan to Calamba.

The Phase 1, which has a project cost of P3.3 billion (.03 million), covers the south line of Philippine National Railways (PNR) from Caloocan to Alabang.

It will involve the repair and improvement of 34.05 km track length, 18 stations, the reconstruction of two bridges, and the procurement of 21 cars or seven 3-car train sets. The project is expected to enhance public transportation system in Metro Manila by helping decongest the traffic and at the same time making the areas south of Manila more accessible.

Earlier, the government said that the Korean Export Import Bank (KOEXIM) would fund 78 percent or P2.5 billion of the P3.3 billion cost for the Phase 1 while the remaining 22 percent would be the counterpart of the Philippine government.

But the Phase II of the project, which covers the Alabang-Calamba Section, has no foreign funder yet. It could be that the funds being eyed from the Chinese would be used for the second phase.

Phase 2 of the project includes the improvement of 27.5 km track length, six stations, road crossing facilities, signaling and communication, secondary depot and maintenance facility at Calamba, the reconstruction of five bridges, and the procurement of 18 cars or six three-car, train sets.

Aside from NorthRail and SouthRail, Venecia also urged the Chinese to look at other railways projects in the Mindanao island and the Visayas particularly Panay and Cebu.

The Philippines has tapped Chinese funds for the railway projects because of its expertise in this sector and the concessional loan rates of 3 to 3.5 percent annually. (BCM)

bustero

June 8th, 2006, 04:37 AM

Too bad unlike the Northrail we don't have too much info on progress for the southrail. I'd be happy to see the Kalookan to Alabang line running soon. The phase 2 I'm sure will take a bit longer.

le Reine

June 8th, 2006, 09:24 PM

What happened to the fund from the Korean government?

stephencua

June 9th, 2006, 02:32 AM

i think it got stuck somewhere due to red tape and the delays in construction and moving of the informal settlers

stephencua

June 26th, 2006, 02:19 AM

*bump*

wala nnaman progress?

lochinvar

June 26th, 2006, 03:26 AM

Is Southrail one track or two tracks?

bustero

June 26th, 2006, 10:13 AM

two tracks

there may be progress but it can not be seen if it's mostly paperwork and no one bothers to report it!

stephencua

June 27th, 2006, 02:13 AM

so sad.. so many delays.. i wonder when the construction would start

3cr

July 3rd, 2006, 05:15 AM

I don't believe this is a new article but just wondering if there is any news as to the status of the said north railway project(s) that's suppose to link all these cities together? Have they started or is the whole project dead on water at the moment? Just that I've not been able to keep abreast of the progress since I've been away from the Philippines for some time. Many Thanks.

Modernizing Railways
By Ed Ferrer

We're receiving mixed, even negative signals (lately) from the National Government with regard its railway projects. Eight weeks back, President Arroyo, through her three-day state visit to China, and through Export-Import bank, she was able to obtain a whooping US$600-million (P33.7-billion) to finance the modernization and upgrading of our long-dormant north railway systems.

As planned, the proposed modern railway projects will have four phases: (1) an express line from Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan, on to Clark Economic Zone, Pampanga; (2) a branch line from San Fernando, Pampanga, to Subic Freeport, Zambales; (3) extension from Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio Global City, connecting with the old reailway to Calamba Laguna, Lucena (Quezon), and Legaspi (Bicol); and (4) extension to Tarlac City, Dagupan City (Pangasinan), and San Fernando City and Poro Point (La Union).

As an economist pointed out: "These trains will link Luzon's major seaports and airports with factory zones, along with communities in between. Not only will it decongest Manila but also spur commerce north and south of the capital. As a fast and reliable mode of transport, it will enable workers and students to go home to the province everyday instead of packing into squalid dorms in the Big City. Trades and farmers can move their goods at predictable schedules. Travelers can zip to and from Subic and Clark international airports on regular business-class coaches from Makati."

Businessmen, taipans and other captains of various companies even struck some timely deals for these mega projects - by way of building malls, restaurants, etc. in some, if not all of the railway stations.

In terms of job creation, the four phases soon will employ 3,000 to 4,000 warm bodies to be hired by the National Government for their skilled manpower, technical and managerial positions.

But while the National Government is busy looking for relocation sites for squatters along the old Philippine National Railway (PNR) right of way, on which the Narthrail will be built, 19,000 families need to be relocated.

And to aggravate the above woes, out there in the South, a Manila-bound PNR train speeding for Legaspi City, Albay got derailed last November 12, killing about 10 passengers and injuring almost 200 passengers too. The train was carrying 400 passengers when four of its coaches derailed and plummeted down a 40-feet ravine while negotiating the curve in Barangay Duhat in Padre Burgos town.

This fatal train accident brings to the fore some legislative measures to improve our moribund and outmoded trains. It was bruited out that what caused the accident was looters scavenged the rail tracks, ties, and metal pieces for scrap which could have weakened the train's tracks, causing the derailment.

Indeed, in view of these tragic accidents, the proper government agencies should come up with imperative remedial legislation to improve the country's railway system and make it a safer and more efficient mode of alternative transportation.

Back to the freshly granted loan for our North Railway, the National Government stressed that once this will be completed, it's expected to encourage the dispersal of Metro Manila's over-population towards Central Luzon, and even potentially northern Luzon.

This gargantuan project surely will benefit the masses. Especially so now that gas and diesel prices are steadily rising, hence every item in the markets have gone sky high too!

We just hope, that with the PNR's development plan, the Northrail project will eventually provide a fast, effective and efficient alternative, even cheaper transport services between Metro Manila-Central Luzon-Northern Luzon. Thus, this gigantic project will provide the much-needed solution to traffic congestion in Metro Manila area.

marites4

July 3rd, 2006, 05:48 AM

delay delay nagtataka ba kaya nalalagpasan ng panahon ang PInas.

anonymous_filipino

July 3rd, 2006, 11:15 AM

bakit kaya di na lang gawing standard gauge yung north at south rail? hmmm....

lochinvar

July 3rd, 2006, 03:22 PM

Yeah. Why not?

bustero

July 4th, 2006, 06:29 AM

whoa that's expensive. because the rail till bicol is really long and it's still working, may need some upgrade but to totally replace it is expensive and a bit of a waste really. It's why fixing southrail till somewhere in calamba only requires US$50m mostly for new train cars!

pau_p1

July 4th, 2006, 07:19 AM

do we have pictures of the new coaches for Northrail?

anonymous_filipino

July 4th, 2006, 10:43 AM

bustero

July 4th, 2006, 12:36 PM

^^tantamount to the same thing, you'll use totally new ties for one, plus a wider base will be needed, and once you take the rails out chances are you'll need to put in new ones rather than use the same old ones, might save some small money but maybe not worth the diff to a totally new set up.

JAMAICUS

July 19th, 2006, 04:49 PM

Gov’t taps SM to build malls in Northrail train stations

North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) is close to signing a deal with the Sy-owned SM group for the construction of commercial centers in at least two of its train stations.

"We expect the contract to be signed within the next two weeks," Northrail Corp. President Jose Cortes, Jr. told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Cortes said SM is not limiting itself to building commercial centers in just two train stations, namely in Caloocan and Meycuayan in Bulacan.

"We are targeting to close at least two stations for SM. But we are also open to other groups," Mr. Cortes said.

He added that the Ayala group had previously expressed similar intent to put up commercial centers in Northrail stations, but "has not come back for the formal talks."

Sought for comment, an insider from the SM group said: "Nothing has been finalized yet. Northrail is supposed to submit a proposal to us, and we are still waiting for it."

The North Luzon Railways Corp., a government-owned and -controlled corporation, is the owner of the North Luzon Railways project, a rail transport system linking Metro Manila and the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. The rail system has a total distance of 80 km, and is expected to reach other key areas in central and northern Luzon.

Having a private sector partner to develop some of the train stations will cut down government equity for the rail project.

Building a station for the Northrail project was earlier estimated to cost P5 million each.

With a total funding of $421 million, some $21 million of the total will come from the government. Bulk of the investment for Northrail will come from Chinese contractor China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. Group (CNM-ECG).

The main works for Northrail is due to start next month.

The first phase of the $421-million Northrail project includes construction of train stations in Valenzuela, Marilao, Bocaue, Guiguinto, and Malolos. This will run for 32.138 km from Caloocan in Metro Manila to Malolos Bulacan. This will later on extend to Clark, Pampanga for an additional 48 km.

China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. will build the railway. -- Maricel E. Estavillo

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW072006/content.php?id=041

richard24

July 19th, 2006, 05:32 PM

sana totoo na talaga ung next month na start ng construction... excited nako.. :) :)

sana pati soutrail simulan na nila... hanggang ngaun hindi pa umaabot sa school namin ang clearing operations eh..

stephencua

July 20th, 2006, 02:31 AM

next month again?? walang kamatayan na next month yan a..

Sinjin P.

July 22nd, 2006, 05:57 AM

Gov’t taps SM to build malls in Northrail train stations
By Maricel E. Estavillo
Source: BusinessWorld

North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) is close to signing a deal with the Sy-owned SM group for the construction of commercial centers in at least two of its train stations.

"We expect the contract to be signed within the next two weeks," Northrail Corp. President Jose Cortes, Jr. told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Cortes said SM is not limiting itself to building commercial centers in just two train stations, namely in Caloocan and Meycuayan in Bulacan.

"We are targeting to close at least two stations for SM. But we are also open to other groups," Mr. Cortes said.

He added that the Ayala group had previously expressed similar intent to put up commercial centers in Northrail stations, but "has not come back for the formal talks."

Sought for comment, an insider from the SM group said: "Nothing has been finalized yet. Northrail is supposed to submit a proposal to us, and we are still waiting for it."

The North Luzon Railways Corp., a government-owned and -controlled corporation, is the owner of the North Luzon Railways project, a rail transport system linking Metro Manila and the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. The rail system has a total distance of 80 km, and is expected to reach other key areas in central and northern Luzon.

Having a private sector partner to develop some of the train stations will cut down government equity for the rail project.

Building a station for the Northrail project was earlier estimated to cost P5 million each.

With a total funding of 1 million, some million of the total will come from the government. Bulk of the investment for Northrail will come from Chinese contractor China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. Group (CNM-ECG).

The main works for Northrail is due to start next month.

The first phase of the 1-million Northrail project includes construction of train stations in Valenzuela, Marilao, Bocaue, Guiguinto, and Malolos. This will run for 32.138 km from Caloocan in Metro Manila to Malolos Bulacan. This will later on extend to Clark, Pampanga for an additional 48 km.

China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. will build the railway.

ewh1

July 22nd, 2006, 06:55 AM

JAMAICUS just posted the same thing on the last page

:D

Sinjin P.

July 22nd, 2006, 07:10 AM

Oops, my bad. Anyway, just for the purpose of reposting it in the next page. :D

3cr

July 22nd, 2006, 09:11 AM

China to fund extension of south Luzon railway
Juan Escandor Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 04:51am (Mla time) 07/22/2006

NAGA CITY -- The Philippines and China have signed a memorandum of understanding that would lead to rehabilitation and upgrade of the railway and its extension from Calamba town, south of Manila, to Matnog town in the southeastern province of Sorsogon.

The document binds the two governments to rehabilitate and upgrade the railroad, bridges and bends for faster, safer and efficient train service from the Southern Tagalog region over 542 kilometers to the Matnog Ferry Terminal, a gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and China's Ministry of Commerce signed the document. Both governments will appoint companies or organizations to do the project.

China agreed to provide concessional loans for extending the railway to Matnog, more than 100 kilometers from a Legazpi City junction where the south railway currently ends.

To track and review the project performance at any time, the two governments agreed to create a Philippine-China Economic Joint Working Group, which will be chaired by the NEDA.

It is also through this joint working group that the two governments will consult with each other on issues that may arise during project implementation.

sandrin

July 26th, 2006, 04:21 PM

Malacañang orders Atienza to relocate railways squatters
By Tony Macapagal

At the State-of-the-Nation Address, Malacañang virtually gave Mayor Lito Atienza the go-signal to move out informal settlers of the railway tracks in Manila.

Ngayon gagawin ito sa Maynila, si Lito Atienza ang gagawa... thus went the message of the speech, echoing the efforts of Vice President Noli de Castro in resettling squatters to pave the way for the North Luzon Railways system.

“The mayor was simply elated by the task given him by the President. He phoned his close relatives and city hall officials... as he uttered ‘Narinig mo, narinig mo?’” narrated deputy mayor Don Ramon Bagatsing to reporters yesterday.

The young Bagatsing, grandson of the late mayor Ramon Bagatsing Sr. and son of former Sampaloc Rep. Ramon Bagatsing Jr., was with Atienza during Monday’s Sona at the Batasan Pambansa.

On cue, Atienza has formed a three-member panel composed of the urban settlement office chief architect Deogracias Tablan as head, engineer Bolanon and Bayani Baal as members.

“The mayor, as early as mid-May this year, has already given us orders to clear the railways of squatters’ families in line with the plan to modernize, and in the process, revive the country’s railway system,” the panel stated, noting that the line extended from Tondo to Damortis in La Union.

“We have cleared the tracks from Vito Cruz Avenue down to Pedro Gil St.”

Set for relocation are the families on the stretch from the Paco terminal to the station on Dagupan St. in Tondo, onto the boundary of Caloocan City.

According to Baal, there are about 12,000 families along eight to 12 km of tracks in Manila.

They are being offered four sites through the National Housing Authority in Cabuyao, Cauayan and San Pedro in Laguna; and in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.

The relocators are also given P50,000 worth of building materials per family along with P25,000 credit loan to start a small business and P1,000 food allowance.

“If there are no hitches... NHA and city hall can relocate 50 households every day,” said Bagatsing, quoting an estimate by Atienza, who used to head the housing agency before being elected mayor.

Based on the Tablan panel’s reckoning, the Atienza administration is confident that as early as October this year, a full relocation can be reported to the Palace.

ergit222

July 27th, 2006, 04:07 AM

^^Sarap pala maging squatter, bibigyan ka ng bahay, loan at allowance ng government tapos ipa-upa mo ulit ang binigay na bahay tapos babalik ka ulit mag-squat tapos bibigyan ka ulit ng bahay, loan at allowance. Tignan mo naman ang nagawa ng Joey Lina Squatter Law ano? magaling :bash: ...buuusseett!!

arkimaru

July 27th, 2006, 09:59 PM

Hi guys! Most of us are surely excited about the Northrail and Southrail projects. Dami na naghihintay at matutulungan nyan. Anyway, we're doing a thesis about it and if we could request about your insights/ suggestions/ comments about the project specifically NorthRail, that would be of great help. We are arki students and the suggestions/ insights can be considered in our design. Thank you!

JAMAICUS

July 28th, 2006, 11:38 AM

Southrail segment to be cleared — De Castro

The clearing operations and relocation of informal settlers along the Southrail line in Manila, Taguig City, and Muntinlupa City are among the top priorities of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Vice President Noli "Kabayan" de Castro this year.

De Castro said this would be the next step following the successful clearing operations at the Southrail segment along the South Superhighway, which was cited by President Arroyo in her State-of-the-Nation Address (SoNA) last Monday.

"Nagulat ang marami dahil sa tanang buhay nila, ngayon lang nila nakita ang riles. Umpisa pa lang ito," De Castro said.

A total of 7,404 families from the Manila, Makati, and Cabuyao, Laguna segments of the Southrail line have been relocated to the resettlement site in Cabuyao.

Last year, the Vice President completed the relocation of 21,023 families living along the railway line from Caloocan City to Malolos City, Bulacan, resulting to the complete clearing of the 32-kilometer right-of-way of the Metro Manila and Bulacan segments of the Northrail project, paving the way for the infrastructure development works for the railway system.

"Dahil sa maikling panahon na ibinigay sa amin, kailangan naming mag-prioritize at mag-focus sa clearing ng mga informal settler families na nakatira sa tabi ng riles, sa pakikipag-tulungan sa mga lokal a pamahalaan," he said.

According to De Castro, the Northrail resettlement project adopted a multisectoral, beneficiary-led approach to ensure that families were given the necessary assistance.

"Regular ang aming coordination at pakikipag-usap sa mga local interagency committees na kinabibilangan ng mga local chief executives at mga people’s organizations, NGOs, at community associations para balangkasin ang implementing rules and regulations ng relokasyon at para ihanda ang development plans hinggil dito," he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN2006072870283.html

bustero

July 28th, 2006, 11:52 AM

Read in the paper that Arroyo admin in her sona is asking for 5b to clear southrail squatters, this is on top of the original 3b we heard of !

3cr

July 28th, 2006, 12:20 PM

Naku eh ang mas mura pa pala to eradicate/kill the leftists kaysa to clear those squatting sa southrailway.

le Reine

July 28th, 2006, 02:01 PM

Grabe ang mahal naman sobra. Ang OA na ha... Parang ang unfair na sa middle class niyan na nagbabayad ng tax. Well, nagbabayad din nga pala sila(low income) ng VAT kahit papaano.

Monsi

July 28th, 2006, 04:06 PM

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3365/no3eh.jpg
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1959/no18vh.jpg

Anybody have new pictures of North Rail?

...Legazpi is PNR's southernmost terminus.

Here, Northrail in the southernmost end of Southrail...
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/Dsc08122.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/Dsc08136.jpghttp://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/Dsc08133.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/Dsc08124.jpghttp://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/Dsc08120.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/PNR916endoftheline.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j246/Monsigh/PNR916.jpg
...Southrail's end of the line.
Hi! am new to this thread, am a train and a plane spotter (airliners.net). I'd been wondering, why is it that PNR is keen on maintaining Cape Gauge (narrow, 3' 6" width between rails) when the MRT/LRT is using the wider Standard Gauge (4' 8.5")? Of course Queensland, New Zealand, and South Africa use Cape Gauge and Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are using the even narrower meter gauge. But here we have a chance to upgrade the rails; why not upgrade to Standard Gauge? These JR trainsets emblazoned with Northrail were surplus/hand-me-downs because Japan is progressively upgrading to Standard Gauge. Trains running on Cape Gauge are usually too laterally unstable...try PNR and cars swing from side to side because of the narrow footing... No wonder one flew off the track in a not-so-sharp curve in Padre Burgos (in November last year?).

bluesteel2k5

August 8th, 2006, 06:08 AM

hi there pips..mukang tagal n wla post dito a.anyways...i need ur comments and sugeestions which may be relevant to my architetural thesis.its about this Northrail project concerning section 1 of phase 1 (caloocan - malolos). like to know what u guys expecting in each of the station (there are 6: caloocan, valenzuela, marilao, bocaue, guiguinto, malolos) do u prefer it to be classical or modern in theme. those who live in bulacan will be of great help, cos my thesis actually focus on design based on natural behavior of people around there, their culture and traditions.

tnx a lot u guys

i'll be seein un around

bustero

August 9th, 2006, 03:04 AM

bluesteel2k5

August 9th, 2006, 03:29 AM

with regard to rail track gauge, i had read in the north rail project study that they'll be adopting both narrow and standard gauge.this is for the older coaches to still be useable aside from the new rolling stock they'll be getting.it is also stated there that the old coaches may be used for freight transportation alone.

@ bustero
ok, so ur saying that the stations should be homogenuos to previous stations,like i'll be adapting the more modern style of lrt2...ok got it...tnx.

ponso

August 9th, 2006, 11:33 AM

hey monsi, that legaspi terminal is cute! parang art decoish,

I agree that it's better to have bigger gauges but PNR want's to standardize on their existing narrow gauge because they don't have the budget to refurbish the whole line to bicol! Since north rail ninakaw na lahat ng rails its easy for the chinese to just adjust the rails so that from legaspi you can eventually go to clark and beyond.

bluesteel IMO these would be similar to lrt type stations, maybe a few convinience shops but very small, should have basic ammenities like a decent CR (can be for pay) but for the moment that's enough.

hey monsi, that legaspi terminal is cute! parang art decoish,

I agree that it's better to have bigger gauges but PNR want's to standardize on their existing narrow gauge because they don't have the budget to refurbish the whole line to bicol! Since north rail ninakaw na lahat ng rails its easy for the chinese to just adjust the rails so that from legaspi you can eventually go to clark and beyond.

bluesteel IMO these would be similar to lrt type stations, maybe a few convinience shops but very small, should have basic ammenities like a decent CR (can be for pay) but for the moment that's enough.

I hope the old station facades, like Legaspi's, are preserved during the modernization. I do certainly agree with forum members' opinion on the damage done by New San Jose Builders to the Paco Station!

Am posting a few pictures I googled from the internet showing the ancient London Victoria facade and its modern interior. One of London's busiest, if not the busiest with 19 train platforms in active use, this station serves Southeast England and the home of the London Gatwick Airport Express. It also interconnects with the subway station, inter-city and local bus stations of the same name. This station just bursts to seams with passengers and the long lines that go with them and I certainly don't enjoy passing through it.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/VictoriaExterior.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/Victoriainterior2.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/Victoriainterior.jpg

In the US, I've passed through the massive Philadelphia 30th Street Amtrak rail station on my way to a day trip to Washington, DC, whose own Union Station is just as impressive. Once you enter both the station's cavernous interior, especially for first time travellers, there is no way but to look up at the ceilings! Both stations were quite well preserved - this should be the way to go - even if provincial stations are quite small, it's nice to preserve a bit of history. I still have vivid memories travelling via the North Line from Tarlac to Pangasinan and I hope to relieve those moments in a few years...

Philadelphia 30th Street Amtrak Station

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/Train%20Stations/Phillyexternal.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/Train%20Stations/PhillyInternal.jpg

Union Station, Washington, DC

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/Train%20Stations/Union-station.jpg

I've also tried the Eurostar a few times from London to Paris and to Belgium. My fingers are crossed that we're having a similar system, but we need decades to catch up and have a similar train service in the country. Once you've experienced Eurostar, which departs from London Waterloo right in Central London and whisks you to city centers in Paris and Belgium, you'll ditch flying altogether.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/WaterlooInternational.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/rfildefonso/3006Waterloo-994PAtxt.jpg

flymordecai

August 10th, 2006, 07:41 AM

Those pictures of England and the Northrail/Southrail really shows a stark contrast. We've got a long way to go yet.

pau_p1

August 11th, 2006, 06:34 AM

I just drove by Osmena Avenue yesterday and saw that the whole stretch of that old squatter-laden railroad side is now cleared off...ang linis na!

ergit222

August 11th, 2006, 07:26 AM

^^any photos? :)

Batang_genio

August 12th, 2006, 12:54 AM

Those squatters along the riles were Binay voters. Does this spell "The End" for the Binay Dynasty?

cruizer333444

August 12th, 2006, 06:49 AM

can anyone give any news about if construction for the north rail has started?

garzland

August 13th, 2006, 03:02 PM

I wonder how modern the train will be for both north and south rail.... Is it comparable with other first world countries or at least near to that?

bluesteel2k5

August 13th, 2006, 03:38 PM

i think it will be more like the LRT2 (recto-santolan),though the trains will be DMU's i suppose.
btw, does the southrail utilizes the card system like the other rail systems? or how do they collect fares?
sorry but i ddnt have any idea to that since i havent ride the line.tnx a lot.

stephencua

August 24th, 2006, 10:15 AM

*bump*
any updates?

stephencua

October 2nd, 2006, 02:37 AM

last week i saw a news item saying that the southrail construction will start next year.. and will be finished by 2010-2011.. the chinese government will be the ones to do this.. not the koreans..

ishtefh_03

October 2nd, 2006, 05:03 PM

last week i saw a news item saying that the southrail construction will start next year.. and will be finished by 2010-2011.. the chinese government will be the ones to do this.. not the koreans..

ang tagal pa!!! :D

ishtefh_03

October 2nd, 2006, 05:03 PM

-delete-

stephencua

October 3rd, 2006, 05:05 AM

onga ang tagal pa.. but there has been a shortage of news about northrail and southrail.. this was the most recent that ive heard about southrail.. northrail wala talaga..

ishtefh_03

October 3rd, 2006, 02:52 PM

pero sa northrail, i think they're starting cleaning up some areas na dadaanan ng rail.

bustero

October 3rd, 2006, 05:06 PM

north rail is supposed to start this month as per their own PR blurb let's hope it happens

3cr

October 4th, 2006, 09:14 AM

“Hu wo tse eu choi lai la” (Here come the trains again)
By Art Villasanta
http://www.geocities.com/peftok/trainsagain.html

The “hu wo tse” (trains) are back.

But if it sounds Chinese, that’s because the “chi yen” (money) to finance the Manila-Clark Rapid Railway System; the “chi tzi” (equipment) to build it; the “kong chen she” (engineers) now doing site surveys and the diesel engine“hu wo tse” themselves all come from China.

The People’s Republic of China has lent the Philippines $421 million (P22.7 billion) to finance 95% of Phase 1 of the Philippines’ first major attempt to re-link Metro Manila with northern Luzon by rail in 25 years.

The Manila-Clark Rapid Railway System, better known as NorthRail, is China’s largest project in Southeast Asia. According to the Chinese, the NorthRail loan is the first 20-year concessionary loan ever extended by China to any government at 3% interest with a five-year grace period.

That China finds itself in the unique position of being lead player in resurrecting the decrepit but strategically vital North Luzon railroad system occurred because no other country wanted to take on this job.

NorthRail’s genesis goes back to 1994 when the Spaniards signaled their intent to develop North Luzon’s railways. After this proposal went belly up in 1998 because of a financing impasse, the Philippines turned to Japan in 1999. Problems with relocating squatters from the project site in Caloocan City derailed Japanese participation, however.

Enter the dragon
Enter the Chinese. In September 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NorthRail), and China National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG) on a railroad project from Caloocan City to Malolos, Bulacan.

NorthRail, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), was established to develop, construct, operate and manage a railroad system serving Metro Manila, Central and Northern Luzon. Incorporated in August 1995, it is also to develop, construct, manage, own, lease, sublease and operate establishments and facilities of all kinds related to the railroad system.

In 2003, the government approved NorthRail’s Phase 1 Section 1 from Caloocan City to Malolos, a distance of 32 kilometers. In August, an MoU for US$400 million was signed between the Philippines and the Export-Import Bank of China for the construction of Phase 1 Section 1.

Phase I covers the 80 kilometer rail line between Caloocan City to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga province north of Manila. Section 1 is the stretch of railway from Caloocan City to Malolos, Bulacan. Section 2 extends from Malolos to DMIA and covers 45 kilometers. The budget for Section 2 is $500 million.

The Caloocan to DMIA line is the first of a four-phase railroad construction plan that will eventually make almost high-speed train travel a reality in North Luzon from Caloocan to San Fernando, La Union.

NorthRail President Jose Cortez, Jr. said NorthRail really began rolling with the help of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Jose de Venecia, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Cortez said it was de Venecia who suggested the Chinese as project partners. As for the President, Cortez credits her with finally getting the project to see the light of day, and for cutting the project loan interest rate by half following a telephone call to Chinese President Hu Jintao.

“She’s been very helpful to the project,” said Cortez, a veteran trainman who was once chairman of Philippine National Railway (PNR). He has been NorthRail president since 2002.

Construction begins September
With NorthRail clear of its prolonged birth pains, Cortez looks forward to this September when work on the railway really begins. His next milestone will be 2008 when Section 1 will be up and running.

Work on Section 2 will then start. Completion of Phase 1 is set for 2010. The complete NorthRail system will consist of Phase 1, Phase 2 (San Fernando, Pampanga to Subic, Zambales), Phase 3 (Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio) and Phase 4 (Clark to San Fernando, La Union).

If Section 1 goes as planned, commuters by 2008 will zip from Caloocan to Malolos in just 37 minutes at an average speed of 50 km/h, saving close to two hours in road travel on public utility vehicles. NorthRail’s Chinese-built DMUs (diesel multiple units) have a maximum speed of 120 km/h but Cortez says they won’t need that much speed since passenger safety is the paramount concern.

NorthRail trains, however, are in no way comparable in performance to high-speed trains such as China’s German-built magnetic levitation or “maglev” trains in Shanghai (the world’s fastest), Japan’s Shinkansen (the famous Bullet Train) and France’s TGV (Europe’s fastest) that can reach speeds in excess of 500 km/h.

Fare savings for NorthRail commuters will be considerable. NorthRail initially estimated its fare for the entire 32-kilometer length of Section 1 at P42 (compared to P70 for public buses) based on a P10.00 boarding fee and an additional P1.00 charge per kilometer.

Cortez, however, revealed that NorthRail is currently preparing documentation amending the initial fare matrix submitted to the government. This new fare matrix, which Cortez said reflects an optimized fare structure, uses an P8.00 boarding fee plus P1.35 per additional kilometer traveled for a total fare of P51.20 for 32 kilometers.

Cortez said making NorthRail a going concern from the get go was essential, hence his push for an optimized fare structure and diesel fed trains.

“I told the President I need fares that will allow NorthRail to survive and pay its debts,” Cortez pointed out.

Because of this insistence on revenues, profitability is not a mirage in the desert for NorthRail.

“We expect to break even on the eighth year of our operation using the P10.00 + P1.00 fare structure. With an optimized fare structure, the breakeven year would be earlier.”

Cargo will be the lifesaver
For companies and businesspersons, however, the payoff will come after 2010 when NorthRail begins running freight trains carrying goods and produce.

“We will definitely have cargo,” Cortez said. “Cargo will be the lifesaver of this rail system. Once the entire system is operational, we will decide on what kind of cars we need for cargo.”

Cortez estimates that freight should eventually account for at least half of NorthRail’s revenues. Freight will be run at night and during off-peak hours. Hauling freight, however, will require a different rolling stock configuration and design.

“We will determine the freight rates and details of service at a later time, when NorthRail has already bidded out and selected an operations and maintenance contractor.”

In making the decision to transport cargo, NorthRail learned from the experience of both the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). These heavily subsidized operations are in no position to run cargo, and will continue relying on government support for survival.

Opting for diesel-run instead of electric-run trains such as those used by the LRT and MRT cuts operating expenses considerably since the cost of electricity in the Philippines is quite high.

Cortez believes there are “no real savings” if NorthRail were to go electric, unless the trains are in Mindanao where electricity is cheaper. NorthRail DMUs, however, can be upgraded to run on electricity should this option prove more economical in the future.

“We hope fuel prices do not fluctuate too much,” said Cortez. The assumptions used in the ridership and revenue projections used constant inflation rates to reflect public transport fare increases.

“However, it should be noted that the projections are still conservative in its other assumptions, such as no connection with MRT 3 nor LRT 1, and revenues are purely from commuter service, with a small percentage from commercial advertising.”

A new revenue stream being pushed by NorthRail is having large corporations build the six railway stations in Section 1 in return for building shopping complexes at the stations.

Cortez said he has verbal agreements with the giant SM Shoemart department store chain in which SM Shoemart has agreed to build two of the six stations in Phase 1. He acknowledges that money is in building commercial centers at the stations.

“If you have people who are interested, they can build our railway stations and we will let them operate commercial centers at the station,” he pointed out.

Concrete fences
At least 30 four-car DMU train sets will be bought from China within the next three years for the four phases of NorthRail. The existing PNR single track will be converted into a double track, the first of its kind in the Philippines.

The tracks will be narrow gauge (1.067 meters) to allow interconnection with SouthRail, which is to be built by the South Koreans. SouthRail’s first phase will see the rehabilitation of PNR tracks from Caloocan City to Alabang. Thus, Caloocan will be the hub of two extensive rail systems that will enable seamless travel from La Union in North Luzon to Sorsogon in Bicol probably by the next decade.

Travel time along NorthRail’s Section 1 will take about 37 minutes with an expected load of close to 42,000 passengers daily. Some 150,000 passengers are expected to commute via NorthRail everyday in the first year of the project. Cortez expects this number to balloon to 350,000 riders daily in 10 years’ time.

There won’t be much of the scenic Philippine countryside for commuters and foreign tourists to see, however, since the NorthRail tracks will be enclosed on both sides by a 10-foot tall concrete wall. Cortez said this 32-kilometer long wall, plus roving security guards and an electronic security system, are necessary to keep out vandals and protect expensive property.

Cortez admits that staring at a gray concrete fence kilometer after kilometer for over 30 minutes is bound to be an ordeal, but said NorthRail was working on ways to overcome the boredom problem.

For now, CNMEG has begun preparatory work on the Caloocan to Malolos stretch. Some 7,400 squatters have been relocated from Caloocan up to the boundary of Valenzuela and Meycauayan, Bulacan. About 12,800 squatters will have to be relocated before September.

Cortez noted that Vice President Noli de Castro played a key role in the peaceful relocation of squatters. Cortez said the Vice President, who is Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), remains very much involved in relocating the remaining squatter families.

The 30 Chinese engineers in country are undertaking site surveys using GPS and preliminary soil investigation with Chinese borehole equipment.

Phase 1 financing is assured. During last April’s state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao, China Eximbank committed to providing a preferential buyer’s credit facility of $500 million with priority for Section 2. NorthRail also hopes the Chinese government will extend a credit facility for the housing and relocation component of Section 2.

Once all four phases are completed, Cortez sees NorthRail as a catalyst in developing Central and North Luzon. In essence, he expects NorthRail to play the role the railroad system did in the U.S.’ rapid industrial growth in the early 20th century.

Cortez believes NorthRail will bring development to the region by providing fast and reliable transport service.

“This will entice investors to locate businesses outside Metro Manila, thereby decongesting the metropolis. Considering the relatively lower land values of land and real estate in the region, investors will most likely establish businesses along the project alignment. This will give rise to more economic activities, more job opportunities and better businesses.”

Rebuilding Philippine railways
House Speaker de Venecia said NorthRail is the opening phase of a well-planned effort to rebuild the country’s railway system in North and South Luzon; on Panay in the Visayas and build Mindanao’s first railroad system in over a century.

An international consortium supported by the governments of France, Germany, Austria, Thailand and India is conducting the feasibility study for Mindanao rail.

The Americans built Panay’s first railroad in 1907. Interestingly, the most modern pre-War railroad system was built on Corregidor Island (or Fort Mills) off Manila Bay. This 14,700 foot long electric railway transported troops and supplies and snaked across the island, starting at the North Mine Wharf and connecting junctions to Lorcha Dock. It was destroyed during the war.

The Philippines currently has less than 900 kilometers of railroads. Most of the 378 kilometers in operation are located in Luzon, specifically in southern Luzon and the Bicol region.

The southern Luzon line is used by PNR, which from 2001 to April 2003 transported some 11 million passengers. About 675,000 of this total were long-distance passengers to and from Bicol and 10 million commuters in and around Metro Manila.

flip2_0

October 7th, 2006, 05:25 PM

Brittany Bay

Masterplanned for interconnectivity

The biggest urban development project of Brittany Corporation, Brittany Bay, is a world-class, high-end, multi-dimensional urban development off the Sucat Exit, right along the South Luzon Expressway.

Set to be completed in 10 years with over 60 hectares of prime property that offers breathtaking views of the Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains, the project will offer a combination of residential, commercial, business and institutional enclaves.

The ambitious masterplan of Brittany Bay is tied with the classic neo-Victorian theme of the San Francisco Bay Area. The land’s unmistakable semblance in both topography and urban culture made it easy for Brittany Corp. to choose the SFO Bay Area as the thematic inspiration for Brittany Bay.

Ongoing developments

The enclave is set apart from other urban developments by exclusive neighborhoods. The communities include: La Posada, single-detached homes with picturesque bay windows and porches; Victorianne, townhomes reminiscent of San Francisco’s Postcard Row; Presidio, a complex of six to eight low-rise condos with intertwined commercial establishments; and the enclave of mid-rise condominiums which includes the Viera Tower.

Complementing the existing communities is a lifestyle and entertainment complex initially spanning eight hectares.

Interconnectivity

Brittany Bay’s proximity to the airport and strategic location midway between the Makati Central and Ortigas Business Districts makes it the next, most viable urban development – even before Alabang and Sta. Rosa.

Brittany Bay boasts of four major access points which integrates the community with the rest of the metropolis.

The current access is via the East Service Road exiting Sucat interchange from the South Luzon Expressway leading to the first lifestyle and entertainment center.

Secondary access will be coming from the East Service Road about one kilometer away from the Bicutan Exit. This second route is a closer access to the second lifestyle and entertainment center.

Third is the South Railway connecting the Greater Manila Area all the way to Bicol in the South and Clark, Pampanga in the North. This city will have its own transport park to service the commuters and the workforce within and outside of Brittany Bay.

Fourth is the ongoing C6 (Circumferential Road 6) link that will make travel time from Brittany Bay to the Global City and the Makati and Ortigas Business Districts an easy drive.

Interactive pedestrian links such as shaded bridges and underpass have been planned to create a pedestrian-friendly environment. These interactive pedestrian links meander along major and pocket parks and activity areas that sprawls around the development.

Brittany Corporation has long been reinventing the Southern landscape for upscale developments with the 300-hectare Portofino along the Las Piñas-Laguna-Cavite-Muntinlupa Link Road, the American South-inspired Georgia Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and the 70-hectare Swiss-inspired CrossWinds in Tagaytay.

For more information and private previews of Brittany Bay, visit: www.brittany.com.ph.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPACE2006100775763.html

ishtefh_03

October 9th, 2006, 04:05 PM

sandrn

October 21st, 2006, 04:40 AM

Work on NorthRail%u2019s first phase starts
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=53837

Work on the $421-million North Railways System, a flagship project of President Arroyo, began Friday in Caloocan City.

The project%u2019s Phase 1 involves laying a 32-kilometer double-track line from Caloocan to Malolos City, with a depot and stations in Bocaue, Guiguinto, Marilao and Valenzuela.

President Arroyo expressed elation at the start of the NorthRail project.

"Congratulations! Finally you have started the construction of the North Railways. I%u2019m very happy to see it not only as my flagship project for the super-regions but as an easy access for the people and for me to go to my hometown province of Pampanga," she said.

Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun, China National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG) president Ren Hongbin, vice-chairman Li Shuzhi, managers Lawrence Ouyang and He Ming Suo called on the President to tell her about the start of construction.

The CNMEG is a Chinese company contracted by the government, represented by the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NLRC), for the rehabilitation and construction of the NorthRail project.

The CNMEG group thanked the President for her full support for the project.

The NLRC is a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and its objective is to develop, build and operate railroad systems to serve Metro Manila, Central and Northern Luzon.

NLRC President Jose Cortez Jr. said Phase 1 is expected to be finished three years from now. Phase 2, from Malolos to Clark, will follow, costing an estimated $600 million. PNA and Katrina April Mennen A. Valdez

JAMAICUS

October 21st, 2006, 01:08 PM

^^ Related...

VP leads launching of construction work on Northrail project

"Don’t forget the families," Vice President and concurrent Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Noli de Castro told the officials of the Northrail Corporation, the Chinese government, and the contractors for the national railway improvement project which officially started in Caloocan yesterday.

Speaking at the launching of the construction work for Phase 1-Section 1 of the Northrail project, De Castro urged the parties involved not to forget the sacrifices of the 19,672 families "who gave way with no fight" to implement the project.

"Let us not lose sight of the human development aspect of the project. Lest you forget, this month we are celebrating the month of overcoming extreme poverty," De Castro pointed out.

De Castro said he views the project as a way by which more opportunities and better life would be provided to the people, especially the poor.

"The families whom we relocated have done their share of sacrifices. I know because I was there every step of the way. I witnessed their difficulties and their sufferings until now," he said.

The Vice President called on Northrail President Jose Cortez Jr. to make good on his commitment embodied in a memorandum of agreement that the informal settlers would be given priority in the job placements that will be available for the project.

He said HUDCC has started training the informal settlers for that purpose.

"Aasahan ko ito dahil commitment ko na rin na matugunan ng maayos ang pangangailangan na pangkabuhayan ng ating mga kababayang nalikas para matupad ang proyektong ito," he added.

Aside from Cortez, the event was also attended by Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, China National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG) Chairman Ren Hongbin, and mayors of various localities in Bulacan and Valenzuela City.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006102177657.html

richard24

October 21st, 2006, 03:58 PM

WOW!!! nag-start na talaga!!!!!! OMG! :) :) :cheers2: i'm so excited!!!!!!!!!! :)

i hope wala ng mga balakid sa northrail... ayan na ang mga trains... paparating na sa malolos station!!!!! wooooho0ooo!!!

ryanr

October 22nd, 2006, 04:18 AM

Yay! Its about time they started! I read from an article that they are giving displaced people (due to the project) top priority as construction workers. :okay:

I cant wait for this project too...:)

marites4

October 22nd, 2006, 09:22 AM

great news.

anonymous_filipino

October 22nd, 2006, 10:44 AM

great news for the people going to the north... sana mga stations ultra-modern ang look at meron din mini mall sa loob w/ the exception of caloocan and meycauayan w/c will be integrated w/ the proposed SM City Caloocan and SM Supercenter Meycauayan...

stephencua

October 23rd, 2006, 02:54 AM

hopefully someone can provide picture updates from time to time.. :D

marites4

October 23rd, 2006, 03:36 AM

They should also hire displaced trike and jeepney drivers. They should also hire them to repave all the street sidewalks from north to soulth. Pavers are not that expensive they only need to pay for the cheap labor. Use all the extra revenues being shored fr the strong peso and extra vat.

stephencua

October 23rd, 2006, 05:21 AM

this piece of news should make you happy marites.. :) taken from abs-cbnnews.com..

PNR to hire displaced rail dwellers for Northrail project

By PETE LAUDE

Thousands of rail dwellers displaced by the NorthRail Project in the northern part of Metro Manila and other areas would be given priority in hiring workers for the construction of the multimillion-dollar railway improvement project.

The actual construction of the NorthRail Project, which would connect Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon, started Friday in Caloocan City.

Vice-President Noli de Castro, who is also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the hiring of displaced rail dwellers as construction workers was agreed upon by the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the NorthRail Project management.

At least 10,000 families living along the railway in Caloocan City, Malabon City and Valenzuela City were relocated due to the railway improvement project.

The $503-million NorthRail Project, which is part of President Arroyo’s Strong Republic Transit System, was envisioned to provide fast and reliable mass transport services to the public commuting between Metro Manila and Northern and Central Luzon.

It is also expected to enhance and accelerate growth and development in the said areas and to help decongest traffic in Metro Manila.

Phase 1 of the project will see the construction of the 32-kilometer double-track rail line with six stations — one each in Caloocan and Valenzuela, in the northern part of Metro Manila, and one each in Marilao, Bocaue, Guiguinto, and Malolos, all in Bulacan.

The NorthRail Project, once completed, will also connect Metro Manila-Bulacan to Clark in Pampanga, and Subic in Olongapo.

marites4

October 24th, 2006, 09:34 AM

very good thankyou, Mr Cua.

bonixx

October 24th, 2006, 05:56 PM

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Batangas is looking into the feasibility of reviving and joining the old PNR line with a heavy rail system to close-circuit the rail transport sector service nationwide. Already in the planning stage is the construction of a US $ 1.7 B Southrail Passenger and Container Railway Project to connect Metro Manila and the Southern tagalong provinces and to serve as a mass transportation system for commuters and cargo.The Manila – Calabarzon Express (MCX) is a joint venture project by Ayala Land and the Southrail consortium composed of Philippine National Railways (PNR) and Bases Coversation and Development authority (BCDA) to rehabilitate and improve the commuter and freight operations of the PNR south rail. The first phase of the project will be from Sta. Mesa, Manila to Calamba, Laguna with a spur line to Batangas City, Sta. Cruz and Lucena in Quezon MCX is listed as a Presidential Flagship Project and the NEDA Investment Coordinating Committee has already issued a first pass approval on the project.

Sinjin P.

October 25th, 2006, 03:31 AM

NEDA OKs second leg of NorthRail

By DARWIN G. AMOJELAR, The Manila Times Reporter

The board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) approved on Tuesday a rail system from Malolos to Clark that would provide more efficient transport service for passengers and goods between Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon.

The NorthRail Project Phase 1, Section 2 would cost $673.66 million to be funded through official development assistance (ODA) under a Chinese concessional loan, according to a NEDA document. The project is a priority project included in President Arroyo’s State of the Nation address (SONA) and the Luzon Urban Beltway.

About 83 percent, or $557. 56 million, will be funded through the facility and the balance of $116.1 million through either local or foreign commercial loans.

The ODA will have a nominal interest rate of 3 percent with a 20-year repayment period, inclusive of a 5-year grace period. The commercial loan will carry an 11.32 percent nominal interest rate with a 10-year repayment period inclusive of a grace period of 4 years.

The Malolos to Clark rail system has about 48 kilometers of double narrow-gauged rail track plying the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan province, and Apalit, Minalin, Santo Tomas, San Fernando, Angeles and Clark Field in Pampanga, the President’s home province.

The project will be undertaken over a three-year period starting next year.

The system’s capacity is pegged at 27,000 passengers an hour a direction given a five-minute headway.

The Bases Conversion Development Authority is the main proponent of the project with the support of the Philippine National Railways.

The document also showed that the project was found to be economically viable with an economic internal rate of return of 22 percent and a net present value of $441.67 million given a 15-percent discount rate.

"Once the project is completed, NorthRail shall contract out the operation and maintenance of the railway system to the winning O&M [operations and management] contractor through competitive bidding. The O&M contractor shall operate and manage the train system and will be responsible for the maintenance of the tracks and other facilities," the document read.

The first section of the project, which cost $503 million and spans 32.2 kilometers from Caloocan to Malolos has started. The project will have six stations in Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela (the main depot), Bocaue, Marilao and Malolos.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=54185

JAMAICUS

October 25th, 2006, 12:49 PM

ishtefh_03

October 26th, 2006, 01:08 PM

and because of this may proposal na rin sa amin sa may sn. fernando of building a "central terminal" na dadaanan ng train... so lahat andun na!!! buses and trains... :D

stephencua

November 3rd, 2006, 02:55 AM

taken from abs-cbnews.com.. looks like the chinese are really interested in railroad projects..

China may invest in Southrail project

By AUREA CALICA

The Philippine Star 11/03/2006

HONG KONG – President Arroyo said the Chinese government has indicated willingness to invest in the Southrail project that would run from Caloocan City to Calamba in Laguna.

"It was mentioned by (Chinese) Premier Wen Jiabao. He talked about it. I thanked him very much for the fact that at last we have started construction of Section 1 of North Rail," Mrs. Arroyo said.

China has extended a $400-million concessional loan package for the Northrail project, which will connect Metro Manila to Clark in Pampanga. Last June, Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai visited the Philippines and committed funding for the Southrail project.

An agreement was earlier signed in Nanning, China on the financing of and the speedy implementation of Section 2 of the Northrail.

The Bulacan-Pampanga section of the Northrail project has been endorsed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The project is a 48-kilometer double narrow-gauged rail track plying the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan, and Apalit, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, San Fernando, Angeles and Clarkfield in Pampanga.

The railroad project includes civil and track works, signaling, communications and ticketing systems, procurement of rolling stock and right-of-way acquisition.

NEDA said 83 percent of the entire $673.66 million project will be financed through official development assistance (ODA) under the Chinese concessional loan, while the rest will come from local and foreign commercial loans.

"So we will work for the simultaneous construction on the two sections, not sequential. In the meantime, he did mention Southrail but the status of that is it’s at the beginning stage where negotiations are taking place on the loan package. So it’s where Northrail was a long time ago," the President said.

"But we have to start somewhere so that we can get somewhere though. There are discussions with the loan agencies and with Premier Wen Jiabao mentioning it on his own initiative, we have very good prospects about it. Not only Southrail but also housing," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She said these were the next prospects for official development assistance from China.

"The most imminent is the second section of Northrail and then still at the level of initial negotiations, the Southrail and housing," the President said.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said they informed the Chinese the Philippines would want to finish Northrail first but were elated that China mentioned Southrail already.

"We cannot have too much on the plate because we’re raising expectations and that is where especially the economic team is very, very conscious about," he said.

"When we make statements, when we make announcements we want to make sure that the following day people would already account for it as if it was that easy. So it is nice to hear from the Chinese leadership that they will continue to support Philippines’ request for China to continue with their investments in the Philippines, granting of ODA," he said.

In fact, Favila said they are working on a combination of not just soft loans but equity as well.

On Southrail, he said a study had to be done by the proponents.

"Southrail is just a rehabilitation, I think even relocation of informal settlers would not be as tedious as it was in the Northrail," he said.

Asked whether the Chinese were satisfied with the pace of the work at Northrail, Favila admitted the delay was a concern.

"But now that they started 10 days ago," he said.

But he added the Chinese were not "necessarily waiting for the outcome of the Northrail project" before they would start funding the Southrail. With Ma. Elisa Osorio

anonymous_filipino

November 3rd, 2006, 05:37 AM

isang maling desisyon ng gobyerno natin tungkol sa northrail: ginawang narrow gauge imbis na standard gauge.... mga chinese nga hindi na gumagawa ng commercial railway na narrow gauge... lahat ng narrow gauge sa china puro industrial lines.... i think i smell something fishy here... pero i also think it's also a good start towards modernizing our railway system... pwede rin naman sigurong palitan into standard gauge in the future....

pau_p1

November 3rd, 2006, 08:39 AM

i agree that we should have procured standard gauge rather than narrow... but at least this is a first step to revive the line... :D

chixbebe

November 3rd, 2006, 12:40 PM

The National Economic and Development Authority board headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced yesterday the approval of three large projects with a total cost of $912.59 million, or P47 billion.

Approved for implementation were the $673.66-million (P35-billion) second part of the first phase of the Northrail project, the $115-million (P6-billion) Non-Intrusive Container System project and $123.93-million (P6.4-billion) Mindanao Rural Development Adaptable Program II.

The Northrail project, to be implemented by the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Philippine National Railway, will complete Phase I with approximately 48 kilometers of double narrow-gauged rail track plying the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan and Apalit, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, San Fernando, Angeles and Clarkfield in Pampanga.

The first part of the first phase of the project involves the 40-km Caloocan-Malolos segment, which is already under construction.

Neda said the second part of the first phase would cost $637.66 million in civil and track works, signaling, communications and ticketing systems, procurement of rolling stock and right-of-way acquisition.

About 83 percent or bulk of the project cost will be financed through official development assistance (ODA) loans from China while the rest will be obtained from local and foreign commercial loans.

Meanwhile, the Non-Intrusive Container System project, to be implemented by the Bureau of Customs, seeks to adopt a non-intrusive detection technology to allow the speedy and reliable examination and inspection of sealed cargo and shipments in nearly all of the major ports and airports in the country.

It aims to purchase, install and operate 20 mobile X-ray units to be deployed in major airports and ports around the country, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, South Harbor, Manila International Container Ports and the Cebu City, Subic, Batangas, San Fernando, Legaspi, Iloilo, Tacloban, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic and Clark ports.

Neda said the units would be procured under a concessional loan through a government-to-government arrangement between the Philippines and China.

The third project, Mindanao Rural Development Adaptable Program II, to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture, involves the implementation of four distinct but interdependent components of program administration, rural infrastructure, community fund for agricultural development projects and natural resource management.

The project seeks to institutionalize and decentralize service delivery to enhance productivity, transparency, accountability and community participation in Mindanao.

It also aims to improve access to viable livelihood opportunities for targeted communities and develop sound natural resources management practices.
The World Bank’s Global Environment Facility and the national and the local governments will jointly fund the project, which will start its four-year run in January next year.

JAMAICUS

November 3rd, 2006, 04:45 PM

So, anyone brave enough to go near the areas of of construction and take pics?

stephencua

November 15th, 2006, 02:52 AM

more good news! taken from philstar.com.. it seems the koreans are out of the southrail project and china will be the ones in charge of the southrail AND the northrail..

RP, China set to finalize terms for Southrail project
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
The Philippine Star 11/15/2006

The Philippines and China are scheduled to approve by next month the Laguna to Quezon stretch of the $200-million Southrail project, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Romulo L. Neri said.

The Calamba to Lucena route of the Southrail project is up for signing with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in December, he pointed out.

Neri said the $200-million project linking Calamba, Laguna and Lucena, Quezon will involve the rehabilitation of railroads and the purchase of electric and diesel trains.

For the Caloocan to Alabang and Alabang to Calamba routes, Neri said the National Government is in talks with the South Korean government for possible financing assistance.

Neri said they are still waiting for the feasibility study which is expected to be submitted within the week.

"Eventually, the next phase will be up to Bicol," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bulacan-Pampanga route of the counterpart Northrail project will finally be completed after NEDA approved the $673.66 million project.

In a statement, NEDA said it has endorsed the second part of Northrail’s first phase, which is 48-kilometer double narrow-gauged rail track plying the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan and Apalit, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, San Fernando, Angeles and Clarkfield in Pampanga.

The railroad project includes civil and track works, signaling, communications and ticketing systems, procurement of rolling stock and right-of-way acquisition.

NEDA said 83 percent of the project will be financed through official development assistance (ODA) under the Chinese concessional loan, while the rest will come from local and foreign commercial loans.

richard24

November 15th, 2006, 02:17 PM

nako... mukhang matagal tagal pa yung papuntang bicol... nasira lang daw yun nung milenyo eh...

before milenyo, hanggang bicol pa daw yung trains.

Sinjin P.

November 15th, 2006, 02:36 PM

After news on Southrail, I bring to you news on Northrail

NEDA approves P35-B rail project

Wednesday, November 15 2006 @ 10:28 AM GMT

Business

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved for implementation the second component of the P35 billion Northrail project.

The Northrail project, to be implemented by the Bases Conversion Development Authority-Philippine National Railway (BCDA-PNR) will complete Phase I with approximately 48-kilometers of double narrow-gauged rail track plying the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan and Apalit, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, San Fernando, Angeles and Clarkfield in Pampanga.

Phase I involves the 40-kilometer Caloocan-Malolos segment already under construction.

The project includes civil and track works, signaling, communications and ticketing systems, procurement of rolling stock and right-of-way acquisition.

The bulk of the project cost of about 83 percent will be financed through Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans from China while the rest will be obtained from local and foreign commercial loans.

Meanwhile, NEDA also approved the P6 billion Non-Intrusive Container System project.

The project, to be implemented by the Bureau of Customs, seeks to adopt a non-intrusive detection technology to allow the speedy and reliable examination and inspection of sealed cargo and shipments in nearly all of the major ports and airports in the country.

It aims to purchase, install and operate 20 mobile X-ray units to be deployed in major airports and ports, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), South Harbor, Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the ports of Cebu City, Batangas, San Fernando, Legaspi, Iloilo, Tacloban, Surigao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic and Clark.

The units will be procured under a concessional loan through a government-to-government arrangement between the Philippines and China. (PNA)

-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Balita MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

chixbebe

November 17th, 2006, 06:34 AM

The government is proposing the construction of an integrated road and railway system connecting Metro Manila to towns and cities along the shoreline of Laguna de Bay under the Laguna-Rizal Ecological Transport System Project, with investments placed at a minimum of $2.4 billion.

Ofelia Bulaong, chairman of Panay Railways Inc., said the government would offer the project to prospective investors under the build-operate-transfer scheme.

The proposed road and railway system will be directly linked to the extension of LRT-1 Coastal Road to Cavite and Philippine National Railway at FTI Taguig, Rizal.

She said the project would provide adequate accessibility between Cavite, Rizal, Quezon and Aurora provinces, also known as the Calabarzon economic corridor, and Metro Manila’s principal road arteries and railway systems.

“This will directly benefit an estimated eight million people living around the lake, [provide] faster movement of goods and people, and reduce pollution of environmentally dying Laguna de Bay,” she said.

Bulaong said the project would cover 280 kilometers of integrated road and railway network.

The proponent has the option to implement the project using a shoreline embankment and causeway road or a stilt carriageway for road and railway.

Under the first option, the whole system will be composed of approximately 150 kilometers of shoreline embankment road, 30 kms of causeway structure, and 25 kms of land-based on-grade road and railway. Bridges and series of box culverts cross the route lines, accommodating water vessels and flow of water from land to prevent flooding.

The second option entails the construction of structures above the lake’s waterline to minimize conflict with the Laguna Lake Development Authority and its stakeholders concerning the issues on land reclamation within the lake, and minimal problems on squatters and right-of-way.

bustero

November 18th, 2006, 06:18 AM

^^This thing looks like a PR blurb designed to light change perceptions. It pretty much looks like an unsolicited scheme presented in a way to make it a priority (not in GMA's SONA and Phil. Medium term Dev Plan).

Northrail and Southrail, pretty much looks like it's going to be integrated. The chinese I guess are just sticking with a few megaprojects to make money and bring goodwill.

3cr

November 25th, 2006, 03:26 AM

General Out to Quell Opposition vs GMA’s NorthRail, Expressway Projects?
BY DABET CASTAÑEDA
Bulatlat
http://www.bulatlat.com/news/5-36/5-36-rail.htm

A peasant congressman from Central Luzon said that the heightened militarization in the region – which is taking place while Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan was designated commander of the 7th Infantry Division last September – has a hidden agenda: To neutralize the people’s dissent over two priority projects of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Is there a relationship between government’s flagship projects and heightened militarization in Central Luzon (CL)?

The designation last September 2005 of military officer Jovito Palparan as division commander of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (ID PA) based in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija was meant to quell opposition to two flagship projects of the government, namely the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NorthRail) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project (SCTEP), a House party-list representative said.

In a press conference in Quezon City Oct. 12, Anakpawis (toiling masses) Party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano said that alleged involvement in political killings seems to have become one of the grounds for promotion in the military.

“The immunity granted by Malacañang to Palparan despite charges of human rights violations hurled against him serves as encouragement for the other officers and members of the institution to engage in similar counter-insurgency operations that target civilians and sow fear and terror over civilian populations,” Mariano told reporters.

Palparan, who has been promoted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from colonel to major general in two years, has been accused of human rights violations. Under investigation earlier by the Commission on Human Rights, the justice department and then Congress, he was linked by rights watchdogs to the killings of activists in the Mindoro province and the Eastern Visayas (EV) region.

Both areas are rich in mineral deposits. During Palparan’s stint in those areas, local organizations there stressed that his designation was part of the government’s plan to dampen the opposition to mining activities there.

As a result of public clamor and widespread accusations against Palparan, the Commission on Appointments (CA) decided to defer the confirmation of his promotion to a two-star general.

Mariano, who traces his peasant origins in Nueva Ecija, said that despite the CA’s decision, Palparan remains a “model general” for beleaguered President Macapagal-Arroyo. Proof of this is his assignment to CL where the general is again expected to “deliver.” For Mariano, the latter word refers to quelling opposition to the President’s pilot projects in the region.

“Sowing fear”
As commander of the 7th ID, Palparan currently heads two brigades (702nd and 703rd) and six battalions (24th, 48th, 56th, 69th, 70th, and 71st) of the PA covering eight provinces in CL. Palparan’s ID is under the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

Since he assumed the military top post in CL, the human rights alliance Karapatan-CL (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights-CL) has documented a total of 23 victims of human rights violations and international humanitarian law. Twelve of these victims have been killed allegedly by the military.

The manner in which the violations have occurred is ruthless and has sown fear among villagers, Karapatan-CL said in its Oct. 12 statement. The group’s fact-finding missions showed that the victims were killed or abducted inside their homes with the incidents witnessed by their own families.

The group’s reports also showed a pattern of how the alleged military perpetrators operate. The perpetrators are said to attack at midnight, the victims are shot several times in the head and body and the victims are left in public places.

“These are done specifically to sow fear among the people,” said Sr. Cecile Ruiz, chair of Karapatan-CL.

Pilot projects
Central Luzon is currently the area for two controversial flagship projects of the government.

The $503-million NorthRail is a railway modernization project and a joint venture of the Philippine and Chinese governments. The project spans from Caloocan City (Metro Manila) through Clark Airbase, Pampanga (CL) to the Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales (CL) with two extensions running from Caloocan City to Fort Bonifacio (Metro Manila) and from Clark heading toward Poro Point in La Union (Northern Luzon). The first phase is a 32-km stretch from Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan (CL).

The Stop NorthRail Project Coalition (SNPC), one of the project’s opponents, stressed that the contract entered into by the two countries is onerous, one-sided and inimical to Filipinos. A report by the law center of the University of the Philippines also has similar finding. The project is currently under Senate investigation.

The SCTEP, on the other hand, is the sixth in the President’s 10-point agenda. Spearheaded by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), it is funded by an P18-billion loan ($322.41 million, based on an exchange rate of P55.83 per US dollar) from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

This expressway project passes through the 6,453-ha. Hacienda Luisita property. The latter is the vast sugar estate owned and operated by the family of former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino who belongs to the powerful Cojuangco clan in Tarlac.

According to its website, the BCDA says that the SCTEP is designed to provide the “shortest, direct and efficient link” among areas in Central Luzon, specifically the Subic Bay Special Economic Zone and Freeport Zone in Zambales, the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and the Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac.

Opposition
Opposition to the NorthRail project particularly comes from urban poor dwellers along the railways whose homes will be demolished once construction reaches their area. About 20,000 families could lose their homes and livelihood for the project’s first phase alone.

In a statement, the SNPC said blood is bound to spill once the government pursues this project. During a violent demolition last Sept. 21, the group said, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) injured seven urban poor dwellers from the town of Meycauayan. The report said the victims’ heads were hit by crowbars while their arms, chests and legs were hit by the demolition crew’s mallets and hammers.

So far, the project’s construction has torn down around 7,000 homes in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon and Valenzuela in Metro Manila. More families will soon find themselves homeless as Macapagal-Arroyo issued as early as last Nov. 8 Administrative Order (AO) No. 11. The AO authorizes the National Housing Authority (NHA) to take charge of demolitions and forced relocations of affected residents.

But government relocation has proven to be disastrous for the urban poor dwellers hit by the NorthRail construction.

In an interview with Bulatlat in October 2004, a number of those relocated in a hilly village in San Jose, Del Monte, Bulacan complained of shortage of water, food, electricity and other necessities, not to mention government neglect after their relocation.

On the other hand, sugar and mill workers in Hacienda Luisita who went on a simultaneous strike last Nov. 6 are blocking the construction of the SCTEP as they also stand to lose their homes once the project gets underway.

Moreover, the cane workers who are farm-worker beneficiaries (FWBs) under the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) are demanding the immediate implementation of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s recommendation to revoke the estate’s Stock Distribution Plan (SDP).

The SDP is an option under the CARP that allows landowners to operate their landholdings as corporations. If this plan is recalled, the land will be up for distribution to FWBs. The latter in turn will demand that the land should remain undivided.

The mill and cane workers’ opposition to the project and their militancy to uphold their strike are, however, met with military brutality, reports show. After facing the bloodiest picket line dispersal last Nov. 16 which left seven dead, scores injured and disappeared, the hacienda workers continue face military threats.

Deployed inside the hacienda itself are around 300 soldiers from three companies of the 69th Infantry Battalion and the 703rd Infantry Brigade. Practically each of the 11 villages comprising the hacienda has a military detachment, it was learned.

Second wave

Union members now see the strong military presence as the “second wave” of its kind after the government tagged the hacienda workers’ strike as a “national security threat.”

The first quarter of this year witnessed the killing of four hacienda workers’ supporters (i.e., peasant leaders Marcelino Beltran and Victor Concepcion, Tarlac City Councilor Abel Ladera, and activist-priest William Tadena). Five activists also disappeared, including the President’s distant relative Danny Macapagal.

In the book Trinity of War (Book III) published by the Nolcom, it said “The combined labor-agrarian unrest (in Hacienda Luisita) did not only cripple Luzon’s biggest sugar refinery and sugar plantation; it will also subsequently affect the government’s program to boost CL’s economic development.”

It added, “Disrupting the SCTEP’s construction through the Hacienda Luisita strike,… will slow down efforts by the national government to speed up the socio-economic development in CL and address widespread poverty that is a breeding ground of rebellion.”

Sr. Cecile said in the Oct. 12 press conference that if Palparan continues to sow terror in order to assure the continuation of the government’s flagship projects, human rights violations, especially the killings, will continue.

dancethingy

November 25th, 2006, 06:34 PM

I know its unfortunate for people to lose their land, i know how painful it is to lose a home, but the republic must improve in order to prosper. These two "controversial" projects will, in the end, do more good than bad.

le Reine

November 25th, 2006, 06:44 PM

^Well, actually it is not their land. They are informal settlers. So I don't understand why they have the guts to claim something that is not theirs in the first place.

richard24

November 26th, 2006, 03:21 AM

^^ they're backed up by politicians,. kaya ang lakas ng loob nila...

tisoycuba

November 26th, 2006, 05:45 AM

[B]totoo yan, kasi yan sila ayaw nila ang kaunlaran sa pinas ? ayaw ko sa kanila taga riles din ako hah hindi naman sa amin ang lupa na ito,, dahil noon pa ay sa train na ito talaga.. umalis na tayu plssss .. para sa atin yan,kapag natapos yan po//

AH-7Raja

November 26th, 2006, 06:20 AM

narrow-gauge railway? isn't our present railway is already a narrow-gauge one?

that mean the chinese will only add another similar railway beside the existing ones to make it a double track railway system with all those add-on modern equipments and the railway extension?

what kind of double-decker trains you guys were talking about then? isn't most of the double-decker trains can only be accomodated with a standard-gauge or a wider-gauge railyways?

correct me if im wrong pls i need some light here cuz its getting confusing... thanks!

demented_pigeon

November 26th, 2006, 06:51 AM

^Well, actually it is not their land. They are informal settlers. So I don't understand why they have the guts to claim something that is not theirs in the first place.

there are a lot of factors why many informal settlers are against these demolitions. taking into consideration the track record of the government when it comes to relocation of informal settlers, i'll willingly die for a piece of land that's not mine if i were one of them. its not more of guts, its more of numbness to the kind of poverty that they are in.

bustero

November 26th, 2006, 01:20 PM

I don't want to go too much of topic with a discussion on squatter rights, but while the plight of their poverty should be addressed, it still does not give anyone the right to take one's property away. As can be seen in this case the bulk of the local funding is amazingly addressing these squatters, hence the few who have taken the law into their own hands will benefit at the expense of the riding public of that line. This is blatantly unfair too.

PNR North is wider than South, hence a change in guage presently in the works from a wider gauge in the north to a narrower but consistent with the south. You can look this up in the older parts of the thread. You'll also find most probably samples of the chinese DMU's that are most likely to be used. I've no recollection of any statements that it's a double decker.

yves188

November 27th, 2006, 06:41 PM

Legazpi PNR Station

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/normal_IMG_1300.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/normal_IMG_1287.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/normal_IMG_1239.jpg

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/albums/oldpics/normal_IMG_1221.jpg

More pics here......

http://www.dphotography.org/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=10

OtAkAw

November 28th, 2006, 03:45 PM

^^It looks like someone with a skin disease.

shadow_can2003

December 1st, 2006, 11:47 AM

^^ Sobrang napabayaan talaga :ohno:

MAXTON

December 1st, 2006, 12:02 PM

Filipino Commuters Told To Expect 'Reinvigorated' Train Service

http://au.news.yahoo.com/061201/3/11mti.html

MANILA, Dec 1 Asia Pulse - Train commuters can expect a "reinvigorated" Philippine National Railways (PNR) service within the next 18 months, PNR president and general manager Jose Zarasola said Thursday.

Zarasola told members of the media that the PNR rehabilitation program is based on a "holistic approach" that entails the acquisition of new trains, strengthening of railway tracks, improvement of stations, putting up of modern communications and signaling systems, relocation of squatters and reorganization of the PNR.

"We hope to present a reinvigorated PNR within the next 18 months after the inauguration of the first phase of the Northrail-Southrail linkage project," Zarasola said.

He said the rehabilitation of the Manila-based railway system is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's commitment to improve PNR's service and provide the commuting public an alternative and efficient mode of transport in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

Zarasola said improving PNR's service would also complement the intra-city rail system being provided by the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT).

"This is something that the President has insisted on doing," he said.

In her first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) in 2001, the President cited the upgrading and rehabilitation of the PNR line from Alabang to Calamba, Laguna as among the priority programs of her administration.

Zarasola said the rehabilitation of the railway system would provide an efficient mode of transport to an estimated 200,000 passengers daily aside from providing interconnection service to the Northrail in Caloocan City going to Malolos, Bulacan.

"There have been many railway projects in the past but none has been pre-directed towards doing a holistic rehabilitation," Zarasola said.

He pointed out that thousands of families along the railway tracks have been relocated to give way to the full implementation of the rehabilitation scheme.

The PNR is also in the middle of a major reorganization program that will lead to the retirement of more than 1,000 employees. The retiring employees will receive the benefits due them, the PNR chief added.

At the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Cabinet meeting Tuesday in Philippine Presidential Palace Malacanang, Zarasola said the President gave the go-signal for the launch of the 2nd Phase of the Northrail-Southrail linkage project connecting Alabang to Calamba.

The NEDA Board also approved Phase 1 of the Southrail project from Calamba to Lucena City, he said.

Zarasola said the implementation of the PNR rehabilitation program marks the start of the long distance train services that would link Metro Manila to the Bicol region up to Matnog, Sorsogon.

The Manila-Bicol line will eventually link Luzon to the roll-on roll-off (RORO) Strong Republic Nautical Highway system, he noted.

bustero

December 1st, 2006, 04:42 PM

from gov.ph, as similarly posted in the mrt thread.

Gov't assures mass loop railway transit completion by 2010
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 | TRANSPORTATION

Government agencies in charge of the mass loop railway transit system assured the public today that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pet project would be completed before the end of her term in 2010.

Philippine National Railways (PNR) president and general manager Jose Zarasola, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Melquiades Robles, and North Rail project head Dennis Jugueta made the assurance during a press briefing at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacanang this afternoon.

In a power point presentation, Jugueta said the construction of the US$503-million North Rail Phase 1, Section 1 (Caloocan to Malolos) project has already started this year and would be completed in 2008.

Under this section of the project, the double track (railroads) will be constructed in the 32.2-kilometer route from Caloocan to Malolos. The system would be powered by new locomotives/rolling stock (trains).

On the North Rail-South Rail Linkage (South Manila Commuter Railway Project), Zarasola said the PNR would revitalize the existing railroads from Caloocan to Alabang (Phase1) and Alabang to Calamba (Phase 2)

The 34-kilometer Phase 1 project will cost US$ 50.42 million and the 27-kilometer Phase 2 project, US$80.23 million. The construction of Phase 1 would start in April 2007 and would be completed in April 2008. Phase 2 will start in 2007 up to 2009.

With regard to the LRT Line 1 Southern Extension from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite, the LRTA will construct fully elevated guideway with eight stations and featuring 20 brand new light rail vehicles.

Robles said the LRT Line 1 Southern Extension has two phases, namely, the completion and integration of existing LRT 1 line from Monumento to Dr. Santos Station and the full integration of the system from Monumento to Bacoor.

The Southern Extension is an 11.7- kilometer route costing US$683 million. Phase 1 will be constructed from 2008 to 2010 while Phase 2 will follow thereafter up to 2011.

During the briefing, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza announced that aside from the three projects, the national government would also connect LRT 1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 by extending LRT 1 in Monumento to MRT 3 in North Avenue along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) in Quezon City.

The MRT/LRT loop entails the construction of three additional stations--in Balintawak, Munoz and the interface station in North Avenue. The project will cost P6 billion and will be started in 2007 up to 2010.

The completion of the 5.4-kilometer route linking LRT 1 and MRT 3 will definitely help ease the traffic congestion particularly along EDSA from Monumento in Caloocan up to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, Mendoza said.

He added that there is no problem in funding of these projects because the national government has several private partners to finance the administration’s infrastructure priority projects.

AH-7Raja

December 2nd, 2006, 05:01 AM

Sounds good. :D

FrancisXavier

December 2nd, 2006, 02:45 PM

delete

3cr

December 18th, 2006, 09:21 AM

More anomalies in Northrail deal unearthed
Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20061218hed5.html

Despite exposure of the alleged numerous anomalies in the transactions involving the multibillion-peso North Luzon Rail Transit (Northrail), irregularities are purported to be still being committed by the government.

Reports reaching Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday alleged that the contractor of the rail project, China’s National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG), is being paid directly from the proceeds of the loan without the need of turning over the money to the Philippine government.

The lawmaker branded this practice as a gross violation of government laws and regulations and therefore should be immediately discontinued.

“It is only now that I heard about proceeds of a foreign loan not being entrusted to the government but are instead paid directly by the foreign lending institution to the contractor,” Pimentel noted.

The senator demanded explanation from the Arroyo administration over what he described as blatant irregularity in the handling of public funds earmarked for the project.

Considering that the project is funded by a loan from the Chinese government, government agencies and contractor of the project should faithfully comply with disbursement, accounting and auditing rules prescribed by

the government, Pimentel said.

The first phase of the Northrail project, the 32-kilometer segment from Caloocan City to Malolos, Bulacan, has a funding of $503 million of which $400 million is in the form of a loan from China’s Export-Import Bank and $100 million will be shouldered by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

The CNMEG was chosen by the Chinese government without the benefit of a public bidding in accordance with the project loan agreement which was signed in October 2003 during President Arroyo’s state visit to China.

Pimentel earlier denounced the terms of the agreement authorizing the Chinese government to choose the contractor and doing away with the standard public bidding, stressing that it is the Philippine government which should award the project in the exercise of its sovereign rights.

“I think we should not tolerate a situation wherein the loan proceeds are not placed anymore in government coffers but are instead directly paid to the contractor chosen by the lending country; that smacks of a travesty of our laws,” he added.

“I call on the governments of China and the Philippines to explain such an arrangement, considering that the burden of repaying the loan will eventually be passed on to the people,” Pimentel stressed.

He also asked the Senate committees concerned to conduct an inquiry into the alleged scandalous deal.

The Arroyo administration has claimed that the funding agreement for the North Rail Project is advantageous to the Philippines since it will carry a 3-percent interest payable in 20 years.

Pimentel, however, pointed out that the government could tap other foreign sources of financing with more concessional terms such as the Overseas Development Assistance from Japan which has an interest rate of only .75 to one- percent payable in 30 to 40 years.

Solblanc

December 18th, 2006, 02:35 PM

^^

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, lessening red tape and narrowing possibilities for corruption are "irregularities" now? Does Pimentel even know what he sounded like? Sheesh.

bustero

December 18th, 2006, 04:12 PM

^^totally , a very clear example of gamesmanship and politics

dancethingy

December 19th, 2006, 04:33 AM

that ODA fund from Japan is disadvantegous because it requires the government to relocate all informal settlers on the proposed track before construction begins. Guess how long that will take!!!!!!!!

3cr

December 19th, 2006, 04:49 AM

Seriously, lessening red tape and narrowing possibilities for corruption are "irregularities" now? Does Pimentel even know what he sounded like? Sheesh.
^^totally , a very clear example of gamesmanship and politics
I agree quite proposterous indeed. What the heck is Pimentel complaining about di ba? That's less red tape nga eh and ensures contractors are paid accordingly. I don't get it. Probably better off shutting his mouth and keeping quiet na lang para huwag magmukhang katawatawa.

Bosnyboy

December 19th, 2006, 01:45 PM

Sen Pimentel probably still cant over his lost to Guingona when GMA chose the latter to be her VP. Hes bitter when he felt he should have been chosen to think he was the one holding the microphone while GMA was taking her oath in 2001 at EDSA.

Ex!lE

January 1st, 2007, 03:19 AM

THE National Economic and Development Authority’s Cabinet Committee (NEDA Cabcom) has approved a multibillion-peso project linking the country’s northbound and southbound rail systems.

Documents obtained by The Manila Times showed that the NEDA Cabcom approved the P4.5-billion NorthRail-SouthRail Linkage, Phase 2 from Alabang, Metro Manila, to Calamba, Laguna province.

Of the total amount, P2.03 billion will be allotted for civil works; P1.7 billion, rolling stock; P335 million, signal communications; P124.9 million, engineering services; P124.5 million, project administration; P93 million, other investment phase costs; and P28 million, loan process fees.

The project will extend the NorthRail-SouthRail Linkage, Phase 1, which runs from Caloocan City to Alabang, to create a continuous railway line.

It also involves the rehabilitation of tracks and train stations from Alabang to Calamba and the deployment of 18 brand-new air-conditioned diesel multiple units.

The project’s proposed financing at P871.58 million will come from South Korea, while P1.9 billion will be funded by a loan from China to procure rolling stock.

The Philippine National Railway will be the implementing agency.

Earlier, PNR signed an agreement for $100 million in official development assistance from Korean Export-Import Bank to fund the rehabilitation of the commuter line running from Caloocan to Calamba. The project has two phases.

The Korean ODA is payable in 30 years, includes a 10-year grace period and charges a 2.5-percent interest rate.

The first phase of the project is the rehabilitation of all train stations and tracks running from Caloocan to Alabang and the deployment of 21 brand-new diesel multiple units.

Rafael S. Mosura, PNR assistant general manager for administration and finance, had said the agency plans to submit a proposal to the South Korean government to fund the NorthRail-SouthRail Linkage project Phase 3, which will run from Calamba to the Bicol region.

The third phase is estimated to cost about $932.2 million.

“After the board approve[s] the feasibility study we will bring it to [the] Korean government for funding,” Mosura said.

The project, which is aimed at decongesting Metro Manila and modernizing the country’s railway system, is one of the Arroyo administration’s priority projects.

TheAvenger

January 1st, 2007, 08:36 AM

^Well, actually it is not their land. They are informal settlers. So I don't understand why they have the guts to claim something that is not theirs in the first place.

about the lands in da riles... actually the land belongs to MRR and later the PNR which is the Phil National Rail Road... so it is a government land. People who have no lands usually squat on vacant government land. It was the fault of the PNR they are not strict with the government's land under their supervision. So now the government have to pay for the cost of relocation plus some compensation I think.

Anyhow I cannot blame those poor people if they squat on govt lands, they got nowhere to go. The problem is if some become professional squatters and squat anywhere there is a vacant lot so that they can get a new of land of their own in a relocation area then sell it for profit, then squat again in another place..... and so on and so on.

Ex!lE

January 3rd, 2007, 02:39 AM

THE Philippine government plans to tap foreign donor aid for the proposed extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 to the south.

Documents showed that the government will borrow $260 million through a 20-year official development assistance (ODA), which will charge a 6 percent interest to fund the $682-million extension, which will move southbound to the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas and the neighboring municipalities of Bacoor, Imus and Dasmariñas in Cavite province.

Of the total project cost, $29.5 million will be used for right of way acquisition; $392 million for civil works; $67.6 million for electrical and mechanical works; and $237.9 million for system enhancement works.

Private investors will raise the $393 million balance through commercial loans and an equity infusion.

The National Economic and Development Authority’s Cabinet Committee earlier approved the project. Investors who submitted intentions to fund the project include the China BFECO Group, China National Technical I & E Corp., China Overseas Northwest Construction Engineering Co. Ltd., PJI Corp of Japan, International Business Development of Japan, AMA Group Holdings Corp. and Achivesta, a consortium of Japanese and Filipino investors.

Companies that expressed intensions include the Isolux Corban of Spain; Rites Limited of India; Infrastructure Leasing and Network Services Limited of India; DM Consunji Inc., Sumitomo Corp. of Japan; China State Construction Engineering Corp and China Railway South Group Co. Ltd. Overseas Engineering Co. of China.

The private proponent would enjoy an investment rate of return of 16.99 percent, while the government’s return are pegged at 7.16 percent. The winning bidder will fund the design construction and installation, integration of the extension with the existing line, the operation and maintenance of the entire line, and provision of enhancement works on the integrated system of the LRT 1 south extension project.

The project will have a 40-year concession period inclusive of four years of construction. The government expects an annual ridership of 131 million starting 2010 and 162 million by 2011. The government proposed a boarding fare of P8.
Earlier, the International Finance Corp. said it is willing to lend between $100 million and $150 million for the project. The extension is expected to serve some 800,000 passengers a day and cut travel time from Bacoor to Monumento in Caloocan City, to less than an hour. At present, the Light Rail Transit Authority is in discussions with the Public Estate Authority for the possible transfer or donation of properties for use in the project.

Sinjin P.

January 5th, 2007, 06:06 AM

China extending $500-M new loan to RP
By Max V. de Leon
Reporter

THE Chinese government is giving the Philippines another $500 million in concessional loan on top of the $700 million that Beijing has committed as additional funding for the North and South Rail projects.

Francis Chua, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FCCCII), said the $500-million loan would be a standby fund for cooperation projects that will be identified in the future.

A joint RP-China team, Chua said, will be formed to identify and study the viability of the undertakings that will be using the soft loan.

Chua, who will be formally appointed by President Arroyo in the coming days as ambassador for trade and industry, is likely to be included in the team.

The loan packages, he said, will be finalized during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here for the Asean Summit next week.

Chua said the state-run China National Machinery and Equipment group (CNMEG) has also committed $500 million in financing the second phase of the North Rail project that will run from Malolos to Pampanga.

Aside from this, the China National Technical Import and Export Corp. will spend $200 million for the construction of a portion of the South Rail.

Earlier, China’s Export Import Bank made available a $400-million credit facility for the first phase of the North Rail that extends from Caloocan to Malolos.

The Chinese premier is scheduled to meet with President Arroyo on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Cebu next week and the finalization of the new loan packages will be among the agenda of the bilateral meeting.

The Asean Summit has been rescheduled for next week after the event was cancelled last month due to a strong typhoon that hit the Visayas.

queetz@home

January 5th, 2007, 06:35 AM

I just found out last night that my uncle is one of the directors of the North Rail Project (and he was the one that objected on the narrow gauge issue since he wanted it to be standard gauge). We had a discussion about it and I've asked him to provide me updates in his pt of view as they come by. Cool, eh? :cool:

bustero

January 9th, 2007, 04:48 AM

^^any news from him?

kikodj

January 15th, 2007, 11:12 AM

bros can i ask if there is a web site of the LRT??MRt??

i'm researching on the numbers of commuters from Monumento to Baclaran

and vise versa.. thanks...

Question:

in the monumento terminal of LRT i think it would be better if there is also an exit route for the passengers in the other side of the track together with the exit route in the grand central?? (kse ung mga tao bumababa pa tapos tatawid pa... traffic tuloy??) are there plans of putting a foot bridge there or something?? ( how many people from the north are using LRT to travel ba???) pasensya na matanong... ("j) SALAMAT SALAMAT

kiretoce

January 17th, 2007, 12:00 AM

Chinese firm to build $500m railway project in Philippines
By Barbara Mae Dacanay

China and the Philippines signed 20 economic agreements, a key one of which was a contract allowing a Chinese company to help construct a $500-million (Dh1.84 billion) railway project connecting Manila and northern Luzon, a belated presidential report has said.

Philippine leader Gloria Arroyo and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signed late on Monday a contract allowing China National Machinery Industry Corp (CHMEG), to facilitate the construction of a 45km double-track railway system from northern suburban Malolos to Clark in Pampanga province, a statement from Malacanang said.

The leaders signed a general loan agreement of $500 million preferential buyer's credit from the government-owned Exim Bank of China to the Philippine government for the infrastructure project.

It was the second phase of a $900-million (Dh3.3 billion) railway project forged between the two countries.

The Philippines and China have been implementing an earlier agreement to finish a 32km double-track railway system from Metro Manila's suburban Caloocan City to northern suburban Malolos, Bulacan.

At the same time, the two countries also signed an agreement to strengthen agricultural projects in the Philippines.

China's Fuhua Group Ltd has pledged to invest some $3.81 billion (Dh14 billion) for establishing farms with higher-yielding corn and rice, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

China's Beidahuang Group has pledged to invest some $120 million (Dh440 million) for greenhouses for flower production for export. The state-owned company has a farm in China's Heilongjiang province, Yap said.

This was a follow-up of a memorandum of understanding called Early Harvest Programme between China and the Philippines, under the framework of comprehensive economic cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The two countries are pursuing a trade target of $30 billion (Dh110 billion) by 2010. Oil companies from the Philippines, China, and Vietnam have started a joint seismic undertaking in the South China Sea, off the contested Spratly Archipelago, after signing the agreement in 2005.

"The visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Manila [yesterday] puts another milestone to our golden age of partnership with China," said President Arroyo.

The two leaders held talks after the leaders' summits of Asean and East Asia in Cebu, central Philippines over the week-end.

TheAvenger

January 17th, 2007, 11:54 PM

http://www.clark.com.ph/news/news.asp?newsID=202

Laus welcomes approval of P35 B Malolos-Clark Northrail component
CDC - Public Relations Department:
11/23/2006:

CLARK, Pampanga— Clark Development Corporation President Levy P. Laus has welcomed the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for the implementation of the multibillion peso Malolos-Clark component of the Northrail project.

The component is part of the Phase I of the Northrail project that will be implemented by the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Philippine National Railway. Costing P35 billion, it will be about 48 kilometers long double narrow-gauged rail track that will traverse the towns of Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan; and Apalit, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, City of San Fernando, Angeles City and Clark in Pampanga.

Laus said the Northrail project is a vital turnkey in the realization of President Arroyo’s vision for Clark to become a premier logistics hub in Central Luzon. Northrail is part of the overall infrastructure that complement the international airport here, along with the expressway that connects Subic and Clark.

Once complete, Laus said the multi-billion-peso railway project will provide efficient transport service for passengers and goods between Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon, particularly between major trading points, industrial, commercial and tourism estates.

Laus said Northrail will also help decongest Metro Manila, and would boost generation of more local and international flights at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here.

Earlier, NEDA also approved the first part of Phase 1 of the railway project, stretching from Caloocan to Malolos, a 40-kilometer component. The Caloocan-Malolos segment is already under construction. The project would cost about $503 million.

The bulk of the project cost – about 83 percent—will be financed through Official Development Assistance loans from China, while the rest will be in the form of local and foreign commercial loans.

Laus said the infrastructure project is expected to entice more investors to locate in Clark, especially firms that are into manufacturing of goods for exports.

NEDA said the loan for the Malolos-Clark segment will be used for the right-of-way acquisitions, construction of track, signaling, communications and ticketing systems, procurement of rolling stock and other necessary civil works.

bustero

January 18th, 2007, 04:40 AM

Vol. XX, No. 123
Thursday, January 18, 2007 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Today’s Headlines

By MARICEL E. ESTAVILLO, Reporter
State rail firm clears way for rehabilitation

It is now all systems go for the long-delayed rehabilitation of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) after the state-owned company finally paid the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) about P859 million in total arrears.

The payment covers the cash-strapped firm’s 20 years of unremitted employee insurance premium to GSIS, from 1986 to September last year.

Saddled with debts, the state-owned railway has been laboring under poor finances for about 20 years now.

"We gave the check to GSIS yesterday morning [Tuesday]. For us, this means we are now back to good standing at GSIS, a number of our employees can now retire and, more importantly, we can now proceed with the rehabilitation," PNR general manager Jose Ma. I. Sarasola II said in an interview yesterday.

With the payment, Mr. Sarasola said a total of 1,600 PNR employees can now apply for retirement this month, as called for in the rationalization initiative of the government when Executive Order 366 was signed in 2004.

PNR is seeking to retain a lean work force of just 558 employees.

The payment was sourced from the Department of Budget and Management, as per instruction from the President, which released P1 billion in check to PNR this month. The balance, Mr. Sarasola said, will be allocated as part of PNR’s graduated compensation package for its employees who will retire.

It will be recalled that PNR was supposed to get the P1-billion employee compensation fund from the National Development Co. (NDC) in the form of zero-coupon bonds late last year. The PNR rehabilitation project, as a whole, had been classiffied by NDC under projects linked to agricultural development, Mr. Sarasola said.

But its release had been turned down by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), which argued that the component on PNR reorganization is not related to agricultural development, hence, not covered by the Agri-Agra Law.

The Agri-Agra Law, or Presidential Decree 717 enacted in 1975, was designed to enhance the flow of credit to agriculture. This law requires all banks to set aside 25% of their loanable funds for agriculture and agrarian reform-related projects.

Still, another P1 billion had been approved by DAR, for release by NDC, to be used for the clearing of the Caloocan-to-Alabang rail-road track, a prerequisite in the rehabilitation of the Southrail.

"We need to settle the employee compensation package first before we could start upgrading our rail system. This is a very important feature as this will go hand in hand with the rest," Mr. Sarasola said.

In total, PNR wants to rehabilitate about 1,060 kilometers of rail tracks in Luzon that have long been in a state of disrepair.

Mr. Sarasola said the Korean Export-Import Bank has already approved the release of $50 million in loan package for Phase 1 of PNR rehabilitation, covering 34 kms. of tracks from Caloocan to Alabang. "We have already opened the bidding this week for this [phase], including the bidding for the 21 brand new trains. This is a tied-loan, so we can only entertain Korean companies," he explained.

The awarding of the winning bidder is set before the end of March, with the rehabilitation project scheduled to be completed within 15 months.

Phase II of PNR rehabilitation, covering 27 kms. from Alabang to Calamba, is still waiting its final approval at the Department of Finance. With estimated cost at $80.23 million, funding will also come from the Korea Export-Import Bank and is scheduled to be finished by 2009.

There is also the ambitious South Rail project that will revive the service of PNR to the Bicol Region up to the port town of Matnog in Sorsogon, set to be completed by 2009. Funding of $330.115 million will come from the China Export-Import Bank.

PNR wants to encourage the private sector to invest in the operation and the maintenance of the railway.

Of the government’s current flagship infrastructure programs, the PNR has completed three, namely: the Commuter Line South Modernization project linking Manila and Carmona; the Main Line South Revitalization Project, Phase II linking San Pedro, Laguna and Lucena City as well as Naga City and Legaspi City in the Bicol region; and the Bongalon-Gapo Bridges Construction project which involves the construction of five bridges, including the riprapping of the embankments.

bustero

January 18th, 2007, 04:46 AM

Interesting that this article mentions Korean EXIM as opposed to Chinese funds, there must be a PR war of sorts for these countries and institutions as they jockey for who will get southrail. Good position for the government to be in.

kikodj, try this link http://www.dotc.gov.ph/ this has all the links to the different agencies you want.

wall_street

January 26th, 2007, 12:29 PM

about the lands in da riles... actually the land belongs to MRR and later the PNR which is the Phil National Rail Road... so it is a government land. People who have no lands usually squat on vacant government land. It was the fault of the PNR they are not strict with the government's land under their supervision. So now the government have to pay for the cost of relocation plus some compensation I think.

Anyhow I cannot blame those poor people if they squat on govt lands, they got nowhere to go. The problem is if some become professional squatters and squat anywhere there is a vacant lot so that they can get a new of land of their own in a relocation area then sell it for profit, then squat again in another place..... and so on and so on.

True. In fact, professional squatters can mean two things:

1.) Professional as in "solo flight" in their scam to get compensation from the government by squatting deliberately on government owned properties

2.) Professional squatters as in organized crime professional squatters and are well funded, protected by big time syndicates

The problem is #2 is operating full time at the moment. With PGMA intent on her infrastructure projects; these squatter- criminal syndicates are flat out busy squatting on areas they know the government have to clear. In fact it's been noted long time ago that every time a government plans to build infrastructures on certain areas; squatters in the concerned areas increased dramatically.

Good news: Vice President NoLI has been assigned and is working full time on the relocations of poor squatters and criminal-squatters. VP NOli knows how important these projects are to our economy. There are no problems, delays with our Chinese partners; everything is ready. This is a golden opportunity for VP Noli to show that he has the sort of leadership and strength to deliver vital projects in time and we know he would.

Question: Does anyone know which side of Malinta would the train depot be? Is it the right side of NLEX going to Novaliches or the other side? For Malinta to have a central train station is a big boost to their local economy.

kikodj

January 26th, 2007, 03:35 PM

thanks bustero...

peepz saang mrt station ba yung tulay na merong tulay??

salamat..

richard24

January 26th, 2007, 03:37 PM

hanggang ngayon hindi pa ginagalaw ung mga squatter sa manila side ng southrail.

kikodj

January 26th, 2007, 03:49 PM

wallstreet meron namang riles talaga doon dati e??? ewan lang kung may depot dun dati?

yung near sa church ng san isidro labrador diba???

FrancisXavier

January 29th, 2007, 07:17 AM

could anyone scan the fullpage ad of DOTC on the paper today? it has the target completion dates of all the rail projects in Luzon..:) Including metros..

pau_p1

January 29th, 2007, 07:30 AM

Question: Does anyone know which side of Malinta would the train depot be? Is it the right side of NLEX going to Novaliches or the other side? For Malinta to have a central train station is a big boost to their local economy.

My guess is on the other side (Malabon side)... the PNR lines are there.. and no railroad on the Novaliches side...

bustero

January 29th, 2007, 10:44 AM

There's a blurb in Businessworld today saying that there is a bidding for the 50M$ South rail project , next week. This is for the rehabilitation and 21 new train sets. It said that it was a Korean EXIM tied loan and the bidder had to be Korean.

I did not see any add for the DOTC projects in Businessworld. Lets see perhaps there is some interesting news this week for this.

FrancisXavier

January 29th, 2007, 02:49 PM

Inquirer has it..

stephencua

January 31st, 2007, 03:06 AM

I was able to scan the full page ad of the philippine railways last monday.. in the second pix you could see the advertised completion dates.. anybody have any comments?

sorry bout the size, havent had the time to resize them.. :P

http://i15.tinypic.com/2dh8bib.jpg

http://i9.tinypic.com/42twy1x.jpg

FrancisXavier

January 31st, 2007, 07:53 AM

thanks stephencua for the effort.. Hopefully everything gets built by 2012...:)

bedista

January 31st, 2007, 08:16 AM

i bet, by 2015, half of these projects are still left hanging.

FrancisXavier

January 31st, 2007, 09:02 AM

perhaps that's true to Philippines being a sick man of Asia..But not anymore.. So let's wish for the best.. Im very optimistic about my country after all those economic gains..Hope they'd be sustained though..

OtAkAw

February 1st, 2007, 03:00 PM

^^ Oo nga, let's all be optimistic. Everything will be alright as long as there is hope in things to come... :)

cruizer333444

February 1st, 2007, 08:58 PM

philippines is still the best. there is no substitute to the philippines if you are pinoy. in america you will never feel home, even if you are born here. the puti will always see you as an out cast. life is too short to jump into the american ship. and you'll never be accepted . so just be proud to be pinoy.

nayki

February 4th, 2007, 03:27 AM

Philippines has a very very bright future!:)

portludlow

February 4th, 2007, 03:56 AM

BSP okays $600-m loan
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business4_feb3_2007
The Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, has approved $600-million loans from the China Export-Import Bank, senior central bank officials told reporters yesterday.

China EximBank will extend a $500-million loan for the NorthRail project that involves the construction of 48-kilometer track in the abandoned Philippine National Railway line from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark in Pampanga.

It will also finance the reconstruction and the conversion of an existing 32.3-kilometer railway track from Caloocan to Malolos, which represents the initial phase of the NorthRail project that included the relocation of the squatters and securing the right of way permits.

The first section of the Northrail project will connect Caloocan to Malolos; the second phase runs from San Fernando, Pampanga to Subic, Zambales; the third phase will connect Caloocan to Fort Bonifacio and the fourth will connect Clark to San Fernando. Eileen A. Mencias

garzland

February 4th, 2007, 04:29 AM

Philippines is on its way on becoming a first world country...A bright future for all of us...

crappypants

February 4th, 2007, 07:35 AM

that's the right kind of attitude everyone.

portludlow

February 6th, 2007, 07:47 AM

Two years late, NorthRail trudges on
BY IRMA ISIP
http://www.malaya.com.ph/feb06/busi1.htm
The P25 billion NorthRail project, twoyears delayed, is trudging on, despite the crippling right of way problem.

The project offered to Chinese construction companies aims to resurrect a portion of a railway unused for close to a generation.

The NorthRail will run from Caloocan to Malolos. Once operational it will join the SouthRail which will link Manila to Bicol.

CNMEG Group, the Chinese contractor for the NorthRail is still in the initial stages-clearing and fencing operation. Actual construction of the railway has yet to start.

The group has decided to do simultaneous work on certain portions of the project to make up for the delays encountered by the project, according to North Luzon Railways Corp. vice president Dennis Jugeta.

Jugeta said clearing, fencing are ongoing in Kalookan and Valenzuela where site offices have been set up. Site preparation and access roads for equipment are also being done in Malolos and Guiguinto towns in Bulacan.

Jugeta said a four kilometer viaduct will be built along Tullahan river in Malabon to bypass a busy intersection and at the same time save cost and time on right of way.

Planning secretary Romulo Neri said although CNMEG has been patient over the delays, it has affected their enthusiasm over future projects. "They want to see how the NorthRail will progress, as a measure for other infrastructure projects. So we want to have this finished as soon as possible."

Jugeta said Northrail has appointed French group ESCA Systra, a joint venture between local firm E.S. de Castro and French firm Systra as consultant for the design of the North Luzon railway project, paving the way for the start of actual construction for phase one section one covering Kalookan to Malolos.

Jugeta said CNMEG has vowed to fasttrack the project, "maximizing the preparation without compromising anything".

He said CNMEG plans to finish the project within 28 months instead of the original 36 months.

"They want to finish this within this period because this is a showcase for the Philippines.| This is the first big infrastructure of the Chinese in the country," he said.

Jugeta said CNMEG, although frustrated because of the delays, remains optimistic as it has already eyes a new contract for section 2 spanning from Malolos to Clark.

Jugeta said the ESCA Systra, which would be formally on board middle of the month, would have to secure the approval of the construction drawings and design by CNMEG before construction would start.

The consultancy alone costs $8.5 million and is being funded through a loan from a French bank.

The Northrail is a $503-million project which is being funded in major part by a $421-million official development assistance by the China Export-Import Bank guaranteed by the government.

The loan was signed Feb. 26, 2004 with effectivity date Sept. 13 of the same year. Based on its project portfolio submitted to the National Economic and Developmebt Authority, phase one section one’s actual physical start date is April 2005.

The project involves the construction and conversion of the existing Philippine National Railways track into double track, construction of six stations, land acquisition, utilities diversion, procurement of 21 four-car train sets and provision of train control and signaling system.

diz

February 9th, 2007, 05:20 AM

I found this in the Google Sketchup 3D warehouse, and this was for the PNR Northrail. Is it real?

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=5b99304dd54015e8c12bcdced7614bcd&rtyp=lt

pau_p1

February 9th, 2007, 05:56 AM

I'd think that would have what it looked on the original plan... not sure if it still...

bustero

February 9th, 2007, 09:05 AM

That looks like an electric train, the north rail trains are diesel multiple units. Nevertheless they may still look nice and modern. Porma naman iyan.

FrancisXavier

February 9th, 2007, 10:28 AM

^^parang bullet train ah..:D

Tahimek

February 9th, 2007, 07:54 PM

That looks like an electric train, the north rail trains are diesel multiple units. Nevertheless they may still look nice and modern. Porma naman iyan.Just to recap, are the trains going to be brand new or will they be refurbished ones?

bustero

February 12th, 2007, 07:22 AM

Both Northrail and Southrail will be getting new train sets! Chinese ones for the North and probably (not clear yet) Korean ones for the South.

smokingunmanila

February 12th, 2007, 09:24 AM

I found this in the Google Sketchup 3D warehouse, and this was for the PNR Northrail. Is it real?

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=5b99304dd54015e8c12bcdced7614bcd&rtyp=lt

Yes it is real...papalitan lang nila yung exterior ng mga existing trains..pero yung interiors pareho pa din...floor wax na lang daw yung mga upuan na kahoy at tangalin yung chewing gum na nakadikit ng thinner...:bash:

ishtefh_03

February 13th, 2007, 03:45 PM

Yes it is real...papalitan lang nila yung exterior ng mga existing trains..pero yung interiors pareho pa din...floor wax na lang daw yung mga upuan na kahoy at tangalin yung chewing gum na nakadikit ng thinner...:bash:

:lol: :lol: okay yun ha... tatanggalin lang yung exterior tapos konting porma lang pero yung loob hinde... :D

Tahimek

February 13th, 2007, 06:48 PM

Yes it is real...papalitan lang nila yung exterior ng mga existing trains..pero yung interiors pareho pa din...floor wax na lang daw yung mga upuan na kahoy at tangalin yung chewing gum na nakadikit ng thinner...:bash:You don't know how much I wish you can say "Just kidding!" :ohno: .

Solblanc

February 14th, 2007, 01:28 PM

Funny thing about Northrail, it has no existing trainsets to begin with. I wonder how those are gonna be refurbished? :D

allan_dude

February 14th, 2007, 02:11 PM

HANOI: Vietnam plans to build a high-speed railroad with aid from Japan at an estimated cost of $33 billion in a project that would cut travel time by two-thirds between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south, the Vietnamese government said.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung gave approval to the state-run Vietnam Railways to invest in the 1,630- kilometer, or 1,010- mile, track, a statement on the government's Web site said Monday.

Dung has assigned Vietnam Railways to work with Japanese experts on a detailed investment plan, the statement said.

Seventy percent of the funding will come from the Vietnamese government, mainly in the form of Japanese official development assistance. Vietnam Railways will raise 30 percent of the cost from loans, Nguyen Huu Bang, director of the railroad company, said.

The train service monopoly does not release profit figures, but its revenues in 2006 rose 13.2 percent from the previous year to 5.3 trillion dong, or $330 million, the Vietnam News reported Tuesday.

apan is the biggest country donor to Vietnam. It has pledged $890 million in aid for the country this year, or 6.5 percent higher than the 2006 level of $835.6 million.

International governments and agencies have pledged a record $4.45 billion in aid to Communist-run Vietnam for this year as the Southeast Asian country seeks to improve its underdeveloped infrastructure.

The railroad, to be built over a six- year period, will reduce the train journey between the capital, Hanoi, and the commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City to less than 10 hours from more than 30 hours.

Trains will be able to travel on the proposed line at speeds of up to 350 kilometers an hour, state-run media said.

Existing train service between the two cities is limited to a single track with a narrow gauge of 1,000 millimeters over 1,726 kilometers. The new line will use a wider gauge, 1,435 millimeters.

Napag iwanan na talaga ang Pilipinas.. :ancient:

Naunahan na tayo ng Vietnam magkaroon ng Bullet Train.

le Reine

February 14th, 2007, 03:04 PM

^nagulat ako. Yung railways pala nila ngayon eh yung binabalak pa lang na itayong Northrail sa atin. Tingnan niyo, narrow gauge din. Yun nga lang, double track sa atin.

Solblanc

February 15th, 2007, 12:12 AM

It's more practical for Vietnam to have a high-speed train to connect their two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Our major metropolitan areas of Manila, Cebu, and Davao are sorta difficult to link with a high-speed train, dontcha think?

diz

February 15th, 2007, 07:56 AM

pau_p1

February 15th, 2007, 08:21 AM

that would be very costly!!!... making our rails cross the ocean.... road bridges would cost a lot... what more for rail bridges....

diz

February 15th, 2007, 09:39 PM

We need it though. :D Luzon - Visayas - Mindanao should be connected. :(

Solblanc

February 15th, 2007, 11:28 PM

They are connected by these magical inventions called airplanes and boats :D

diz

February 17th, 2007, 10:08 AM

Which is magically slow.

Solblanc

February 18th, 2007, 01:19 AM

an hour or so on a jet is too slow for ya? :)

In Italy, a lot of people fly from Rome to Milan. It's not because of the lack of trains, it's because they'd rather spend less than an hour on a plane than half a day on a train.

There's no high-speed rail service in this supposedly developed country, and yet train tickets usually don't sell for less than 50 euros. And that's a bargain.

diz

February 18th, 2007, 05:58 AM

Yes. I can't even use my phone. :lol:

ryanr

February 18th, 2007, 09:40 AM

I agree with solblanc. Vietnam needs high speed rail more than we do. What we do need are commuter rail and medium speed rail (or whatever you call those trains that are faster than the PNR..haha) to connect MM and its surrounding mega-metro area. Northrail is a start, but we need more.

Lucentino

February 22nd, 2007, 02:25 AM

One of the big problems of the South Rail to Bicol is that several portions of the rail track are being looted! Remember the train derailment in Quezon? How can they attract passengers when the safety of the tracks are questionable?

In the planned upgrade, putting fences would add to the cost, and in time these will also be looted... but at least it will take time---and they would be able to detect the criminals---before they could get their hands on the tracks...

And how could they fence the entire length from Manila to Bicol when in several portions, there are "unauthorized tenants"? And the job of the "trolley" operators will also be "affected"...

IMO: These factors would make the upgrade cost to balloon, but atleast they will attract customers... and the commuter's trust in the system can be gained...

Pinoy talaga oo over populated na kaya daming gutom!!! o baka gusto lang talaga easy money?...:ohno: oopps sorry for the OT! :bash:

portludlow

April 22nd, 2007, 06:40 PM

PNR rail rehabilitation to start September

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=61814
By Riza T. Olchondra
Inquirer
Last updated 06:15pm (Mla time) 04/22/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- THE PHILIPPINE National Railways (PNR) will start repairing and improving its North and South railways by September, PNR General Manager Jose Ma. Sarasola II said Friday.

"Tracks and bridges will be totally reconstructed. Existing 35-kg rails will be replaced with 50-kg tracks, bridges will be repaired and stations will be totally remodeled," he said.

Phase one of the rehabilitation work is estimated to cost $50.4 million. It covers the railway system from Caloocan to Alabang. Rehabilitation work is targeted for completion in 2009.

PNR is continuing to clear areas along rail tracks of informal settlers. Sarasola said the government set aside P5.6 billion for the railway clearing operations, which was now 20-percent complete.

He said the clearing was meant to achieve the PNR's "zero accidents" policy, noting that the major cause of mishaps involving PNR trains was the presence of these informal settlers who live perilously close to the railroad tracks.

By relocating them away from these danger zones, the PNR official said such accidents would not only be prevented but the settlers would also have better amenities and better income opportunities.

As an added benefit, he said the physical assets and improvements of the PNR were also better protected as this would greatly diminish the loss of materials that were often pilfered by lawless elements living along the tracks.

"The relocation project will greatly minimize the theft of the spikes that hold the tracks in place, the loss of which often result in the derailment of our carriages. The clearing operations keep people out of harm's way while ensuring the continuing function of the trains for the benefit of our passengers," Sarasola said.

An information campaign on safety awareness at the barangay or village level is being conducted by the PNR Public Safety Office. The office said in a statement that the areas vacated by the informal settlers are being developed into parks.

stephencua

April 23rd, 2007, 12:48 AM

finally... hopefully they do a great job.. and they finish on time! :D

queetz@home

April 23rd, 2007, 01:52 AM

bustero

April 23rd, 2007, 05:38 AM

venntro

April 23rd, 2007, 08:06 AM

^^ The rehabilitation should also focus on the train terminals and they should make it modern to complete the whole new look.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 23rd, 2007, 09:46 AM

^^ The rehabilitation should also focus on the train terminals and they should make it modern to complete the whole new look.

the design should be high tech and made of polycarbonate(glass) and steel just like those ive seen in spain

venntro

April 23rd, 2007, 09:53 AM

^^ Would appreciate if you have some pics of these Spanish terminals for comparison. :)

queetz@home

April 23rd, 2007, 10:05 AM

^^I think we discussed it here before. While you are right, apparently it's got to do with the south also being narrow gauge and they thought that it would better to just have one consistent set of gauges.

Yeah but won't they end up replacing the tracks in the south anyway? Since NorthRail is pretty much new and the tracks in Metro Manila will all need to be rebuilt, it seems only logical that they redo the south as well since majority of the tracks will be redone anyway. Start fresh and do it right. My NorthRail Board of Director uncle is absolutely right about the stupidity and shortsightedness of the other Board Members opting for narrow gauge, especially since we are paying for rehabilitating the existing tracks anyway. For that short sighted decision to use narrow gauge, we will never ever have a decent fast high capacity rail system that would cover the main island of the country... :rant:

garzland

April 23rd, 2007, 02:34 PM

By JC BELLO RUIZ

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is moving forward with the clearing operations of informal settlers along its railroad tracks to achieve the "zero accidents" policy that the state railway firm has implemented.

About P5.6 billion has been allocated by the government for the railway clearing operations, which is now 20 percent complete, the PNR said.

PNR General Manager Jose Maria Sarasola II said the clearing operations are being targeted for completion this year, stressing that the major cause of mishaps involving PNR trains is the presence of informal settlers who live perilously close to the railroad tracks.

Sarasola said by relocating them away from danger zones, accidents will not only be prevented but the "settlers are also given the opportunity to live in communities with much better amenities and hopefully, will be motivated into trying to further improve their lives."

As an added benefit, Sarasola said, the physical assets and improvements of the PNR are also better protected as this will "greatly diminish the loss of PNR materials which are often pilfered by certain lawless elements living along the tracks."

"The relocation project will greatly minimize the theft of the spikes that hold the tracks in place, the loss of which often result in the derailment of our carriages. The clearing operations keep people out of harm’s way while ensuring the continuing function of the trains for the benefit of our passengers," Sarasola said.

He added that an information campaign on safety awareness starting on the barangay level is being constantly conducted by the PNR Public Safety Office (PNR-PSO) under Chief Security and Public Safety Officer Gerry Gerona.

"The harmful derailment of our carriages is minimized by deterring theft of the spikes which hold the tracks in place. The clearing operations keep people out of harm’s way while ensuring the continuing function of the trains for the benefit of our passengers," Gerona said.

The PNR-PSO was created in 2001 and among its functions is to properly inform the affected residents of the dangers they face by opting to stay in these places.

"We appeal to city, municipal, and barangay officials to help us look after the well-being of their constituents by dissuading them from staying too close to the railroad tracks, and even by volunteering to relocate their residence. With their cooperation, discipline can be enforced so that everyone understands that it is not safe where they presently reside," Sarasola said.

venntro

April 24th, 2007, 05:15 AM

^^ Relocation of the illegal settlers is one thing but to prevent them from coming back is another thing. How many times have we seen an area cleared of squatters only to see them return to the area later on. Guadalupe is a perfect example. Hope they will landscape the area vacated by the settlers and develop a security program to keep out trespassers in the future.

richard24

April 24th, 2007, 01:06 PM

my gulay..., ni hindi pa nagsisimula ang demolition sa sta mesa area..., since election time..,

kikodj

April 26th, 2007, 10:41 AM

syempre registered voters sila??? dagdag boto???

richard24

April 26th, 2007, 11:19 AM

i'm pretty sure matutuloy na ang demolition after elections..., KUNG mananalo si ali. :) i'm not so sure if the other mayoral candidates will continue what atienza started..., with all the projects going on in manila.., lalo na ung mga sidewalks.., if ali wont win, surely we will see them unfinished.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 26th, 2007, 05:17 PM

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s212/cator_bucket_2007/portasusa1.jpg

NOVO ECIJANO

April 26th, 2007, 05:28 PM

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s212/cator_bucket_2007/dsc02768ll01.jpg

flymordecai

April 26th, 2007, 08:55 PM

NOVO ECIJANO: Where did you get those? The second picture looks like a photo to me.

If those are real, then :okay:

crappypants

April 26th, 2007, 09:03 PM

wow those are so nice. i wish they do turn out like that.

allan_dude

April 26th, 2007, 11:06 PM

Lets play guess the city! Is that second pic in Spain, Greece or Chile? :-)

diz

April 26th, 2007, 11:30 PM

I don't see Greek writing so it must be Spain or Chile. I think Spain.

But the suggested terminal (first pic) is really nice.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 28th, 2007, 08:38 AM

NOVO ECIJANO: Where did you get those? The second picture looks like a photo to me.

If those are real, then :okay:

i took the images from SPAIN HSL TRAINS THREADS.I am a fan of spanish
architecture,for me its the best in the world although im not impress with calatrava works,but they have plenty of equally good architects,nakikita ko ang gawa nila sa mga international magazines.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 28th, 2007, 08:44 AM

may construction boom ngayon sa spain,para silang pilipinas,dati silang laggard sa ekonomiya sa europe ngayon sila ang nangunguna,in few years malalampasan na nila ang italy at germany.

lochinvar

April 29th, 2007, 07:45 AM

Leading GNPs as I recall,

U.S. = $9 trillion
Japan = $3 trillion
Germany = $1.5 trillion
France = $1 trillion
Italy & England = $900 billion
Spain = $700 billion

Looks like Spain will have to eat more paella and chorizo de Bilbao for several years if ever it hopes to surpass Germany. Actually, China's GNP is much bigger than Spain but not because of The Great Leap Forward but because it has .... a billion and a half people.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 29th, 2007, 09:49 AM

Rank Country GDP (PPP)
$ per capita Estimates
(for 2006)
start after
1 Luxembourg 80,471 2005
2 Ireland 44,087 2005
3 Norway 43,574 2005
4 United States 43,444 2005
5 Iceland 40,277 2005
— Hong Kong, China 38,127 2005
6 Switzerland 37,369 2005
7 Denmark 36,549 2005
8 Austria 36,031 2005
9 Canada 35,494 2005
10 Netherlands 35,078 2005
11 United Kingdom 35,051 2005
12 Finland 34,819 2005
13 Belgium 34,478 2005
14 Sweden 34,409 2005
15 Qatar 33,049 2005
16 Australia 32,938 2004
17 Singapore 32,867 2005
18 Japan 32,647 2005
19 Germany 31,095 2005
20 Italy 30,732 2005
21 France 30,693 2005
22 Israel 30,464 2005
23 Republic of China (Taiwan) 30,084 2005
24 United Arab Emirates 29,142 2003
25 Cyprus 29,105 2005
— European Union 28,165 2005
26 Spain 27,522

alcogoodwin

April 30th, 2007, 12:33 PM

Hi all,
Just found this thread. I am the owner of the Philippine Railways SIG and the associated Yahoogroup. I'm also a part of a group trying to set up a Philippine Railway Historical Society.
I have been reading all the posts regarding the rebuilding of the Philippine railway systems.
The gauge question is one that comes up very often, narrow gauge often being seen as a bad choice for one reason or another. In reality narrow gauge is capable of much more than most people give it credit for and one of Australia's fastest trains currently operates on it, as does our biggest profit maker and largest hauler of coal.
The need for a uniform gauge in the Philippines is a no brainer, we don't wish the Philippines to make the same mistakes made elsewhere, most notably here in Australia. The need to be able to operate between any two given points is vital, although the different operators of the two lines may make this a little more complicated than if PNR was to operate it all, along with the appropriate amount of government/private support.
One problem that will be experienced with the move to high speed standard gauge is the need for wider formations than is currently the case. This need to demolish housing will make the squatter removal look like a drop in the ocean.
Of course there is then the problems of safeworking and the need to remove the thousands of level crossings that exist on the railways there by the use of grade seperation. All of which will add significantly to the cost and make it significantly less attractive to private investors. Lets face it, it would a long wait before the Arroyo government will start forking out the pesos needed.
While little is currently known about rollingstock it can reasonably be expected that the Chinese will not be using rubbish up north. The Southrail project, while privately owned, is currently expected to be operated by PNR. I imagine though that newer rollingstock will be forthcoming for this as well.
Popular talk is that Northrail will utilize DMU type vehicles rather than traditional Philippine head-end power in the form of a locomotive.
Only the Panay Railway Corp has thus far publicly announced what they plan to use, photos of which appeared on the Philippine Railways Yahoogroup. These are pretty much European (German from memory) in design.
However the Panay Railway Corp has a much bigger uphill battle ahead of them to attract funding. Even if this is forthcoming it is hard to imagine how they will get back into Iloilo City, at least beyond Lapaz station.
There are exciting times ahead, but at the moment we must be a little more realistic in what is likely to be achieved. Aiming far to high may result in no action what so ever.

Best wishes
Brad
Philippine Railways SIG
http://www.geocities.com/alcogoodwin/PhilippineRailways.html