Construction of NSCR’s Metro Manila leg expected to begin in October —PNR

The construction of the Metro Manila leg of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project is expected to begin in October this year, according to the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

“In Metro Manila, we are currently in the process of doing three things. Number one, we’re doing the fencing activities… Number two, track removal… three, clearing operations,“ PNR chairman Michael Ted Macapagal said at the Saturday News Forum.

“Siguro by October tapos na ‘yung fencing at track removal activities, so construction immediately follows,” added Macapagal.

On May 28, the PNR’s Tutuban-Alabang operations were suspended to make way for the NSCR’s construction. 

NSCR’s Metro Manila leg involves the construction of elevated and at-grade tracks and stations stretching from Blumentritt in Manila to Sucat in Parañaque City.

Meanwhile, the Alabang-Calamba leg of the NSCR broke ground in July last year.

The NSCR, in its entirety, will stretch more than 147 kilometers with a total of 37 stations across Clark, Pampanga all the way to Calamba, Laguna.

Macapagal said the entire line is targeted to be completed by 2028.

“But definitely the northern line will operate before 2027,” the PNR chairman said.

Macapagal said the northern leg of the NSCR —Tutuban to Malolos and Malolos to Clark— is “more than 50% finished.”

“However, I can confidently say that the stations themselves…these are 80% to 85% kaya mabilis na lang ‘yan. I predict that by 2026, maybe even 2027, we can already start to run trial trains… before elections of 2028 we can open up that line in full operational mode,” the PNR chief said.

Macapagal said the entire NSCR will be served by a fleet of 60 electric multiple-train units. —VAL, GMA Integrated News