PNR to hire displaced rail dwellers for Northrail project

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.