DOTr updates CL stakeholders on big-ticket airport, rail projects

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1006848
• Saturday, April 21, 2018

By Cherie Joyce V. Flores (CLJD/CJVF-PIA 3)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) updated the stakeholders from Central Luzon on the status of big-ticket airport and rail projects during the recent Philippine Economic Briefing.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new passenger terminal building of Clark International Airport broke ground last December 20, 2017.

“Once completed, it will accommodate an additional 8 million passengers annually,” he disclosed.

Moreover, pre-construction activities for the Phase 1 of PNR Clark started last January 2018 with actual construction targeted by November 2018.

“Phase I is a 38km segment spanning from Tutuban to Malolos City in Bulacan. With this line, commuters from Tutuban will reach Malolos in as little as 35 minutes,” Tugade furthered.

Phase II, on the other hand, is a 69km stretch from Malolos City to Clark.

PNR Clark will have a total of 17 stations namely Tutuban, Solis, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, Calumpit, Apalit, San Fernando, Angeles, Clark, Clark International Airport, and New Clark City.

Meanwhile, Tugade disclosed that the MRT-7 is 22.96 percent complete as of February 2018 and will meet its target date in 2020. MRT 7 is a 22km rail line that will connect Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte City.

The manufacturing of the 108 rolling stocks is in progress. At present, there are 5 train sets completed, equivalent to 15 cars.

“Through the trust and confidence of the people and with the leadership of President Duterte, the DOTr, Department of Public Works and Highways and Bases Conversion and Development Authority will work hand in hand towards the implementation and realization of the Golden Age of Infrastructure,” the secretary said.

“There is no doubt and it is a given hypothesis that if you want to develop and grow, there’s got to be infrastructure. Infrastructure must be developed in order for any economy to have its best to really grow,” he stressed.