Japan aid for railway project sought

TARLAC CITY — Negotiations are underway with Japan’s international funding arm for a renewed push in the implementation of the 100-kilometer, double-track Manila-Clark rapid railway system project.

According to the Presidential Commission for the Central Luzon Growth Corridor (PCCLGC), the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NorthRail) is presently holding discussions with the Philippine-Japan Cooperation Committee for the donation of rolling stocks, rails and equipment for the infrastructure project.

The PCCLGC, which oversees investment and economic activities in Central Luzon, said the donations from Japan will substantially reduce the project’s funding requirements.

It added that NorthRail will likely commence construction work early next year, shortly after several hundreds of Bulacan families affected by the railway project are relocated by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Bulacan provincial government.

Initially, the commission said NorthRail will construct railroad tracks from Monumento in Caloocan City to the Clark special economic zone. This will initially benefit Tarlac’s lone special ecozone, the Luisita Industrial Park in the 6,000-hectare, Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita.

Japan’s donation will be incorporated into the project’s updated feasibility study, which is being prepared by NorthRail and its partners, Pacific Consultants International (PCI) and Asia Halcrow Inc. (AHI).

The study will be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for re-evaluation.

The PCCLGC said the 100-kilometer, double-track railway system, as envisioned, will link the Bonifacio Global City and the Clark ecozone.

"It is expected to provide fast and reliable means of transit from Manila to Clark," it said. "Its rolling stock will be electric-powered, airconditioned and with a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour."

It said the railway tracks will be fenced, while signaling and train controls will be computer-assisted, with an on-board automatic train protection system to maintain and control safe speed and headway.

"Once completed, the train service will operate the inter-urban and metro commuter, airport express and freight services," it added.