The Department of Transportation (DOTr) hopes to begin the construction of the Subic-Clark Railway within the first half of 2020.
“We want to start construction of the Subic-Clark railway by the first quarter at the earliest next year or the second quarter at the latest,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
He noted that the department is just waiting for the Chinese embassy to complete within the month the shortlist of Chinese companies that will take part in bidding for the project. Tugade said the Chinese embassy had earlier submitted names of three companies, but one was disqualified; DOTr is now waiting for the substitute.
Of the P50-billion total cost of the project, P42.5 billion will be financed through official development assistance from China and P7.5 billion through local funds.
DOTr will be selecting from among the three shortlisted companies through bidding, and is eyeing completion of the process before the end of 2019 so that construction can start next year.
The Subic-Clark Railway project is a 71.13-kilometer cargo railway that will connect Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Clark Freeport Zone in order to support current industrial activities and the potential demand for freight services along the Subic-Clark corridor.
This project is seen to help decongest Metro Manila traffic, provide infrastructure for the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, and spur the development of a freight railway system in Luzon.
