CALUMPIT, BULACAN-OLD train that are currently traversing the commuter lines from Malabon to Alabang as well as those from Tutuban will be rehabilitated as well as the train stations in the Greater Manila Area says PNR General Manager Junn Magno with DOTr Secretary Art Tugade while at the PNR Clark 1 Site Visit June 14, 2021 in this municipality.
Bulakenyos anticipate the completion of the project that would connect the Greater Manila Area to the Clark Global City and will pass through the province in its six (6) stations namely (City of Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guguinto, City of Malolos and Calumpit).
DOTr Secretary’s site visit was first at the Balagtas Station by which he was accompanied by the people of Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. With the Balagtas LGU, Mayor Ambrosio Cruz of Guiguinto, the Bulacan Governor and Vice Governor as well as the Mayor of the City of Malolos.
The project is the North-South Commuter Railway that would traverse from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan. Though politicians in Bulacan says that the project is a dream come true, for most Bulakenyos it was just an answered prayer, because since the province is the gateway to the North, mean anyone going northwards will pass through the province whether it by sea, land or air, older Bulakenyos experience riding the PNR trains from La Union to Tutuban as well as the famous Bicol Express from Tutuban to Naga.
And as this “dream” realizes in the not too distant future, bulakenyos anticipate the revival of the rail lines that would connect Tutuban to Dingalan, Aurora via Balagtas in Bulacan. (Mj Olvina-Balaguer, 09053611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com, konekted@dzmjonline.net, Makabuluhang Jornalismo Your Happiness Channel)
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14 June 2021
TUGADE: ONCE JUST A DREAM, RAIL LINE CONNECTING MANILA TO BULACAN NOW TURNING TO REALITY
MANILA — What was just once a blueprint, the rail line that will soon connect Manila and Bulacan is now fast becoming a reality with the continuing construction of the PNR Clark Phase 1, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade said Monday, June 14, 2021.
Tugade led the inspection of the Balagtas Station and Calumpit construction yard site of the PNR Clark Phase 1, a project that saw many years of failed attempts to get off the drawing board. The transport secretary was accompanied by other transport officials and Bulacan local government executives.
To date, the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), the first segment of the massive North-South Commuter Railway Project, has an overall progress rate of 46.68% and is eyed for completion by the second quarter of 2024.
Sec. Tugade said the Duterte administration upon taking office, immediately started work to realize the vision of the Build, Build, Build infrastructure program and make the DOTR-PNR rail project a reality.
“Noong pumasok ang administrasyong Duterte, ang sabi ng administrasyon, gagawa at gagawa kami ng paraan upang ‘yung panaginip, ‘yung pangarap, ‘yung mga planong ginawa tungkol sa riles ng tren dito sa Bulacan ay maging realidad,” Sec. Tugade said.
Tugade likewise announced that the train sets to be used for the project will be delivered in December. Meanwhile, the training center for the rail line will be finished before the year ends.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the PNR Clark Phase 1 is a 38-kilometer railway that cuts through the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela, and the municipalities of Meycuayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Malolos City in Bulacan. Once completed, the project will serve 300,000 passengers daily and is expected to slash travel time from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan from one hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes.
To prove that the PNR Clark Phase 1 project is on track and on schedule, Tugade said he personally visited the Balagtas Station and Calumpit construction yard, barely a month after conducting a series of inspections at the project’s Meycauayan and Valenzuela segments.
REPRIEVE FOR OFWs
During his inspection, Sec. Tugade was welcomed by 70 former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are now employed at the Calumpit construction yard as part of DOTr’s commitment to provide Filipinos displaced by the pandemic with jobs.
With movement restrictions imposed by states due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many OFWs lost their jobs and were forced to return home.
On the order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the DOTr reached out to former OFWs with offers of employment in the country under the Build, Build, Build Program of the Duterte Administration.
During the inspection, three (3) former OFWs expressed their gratitude to President Duterte and Sec. Tugade for the opportunity to work under the PNR Clark Phase 1 project.
“Maraming salamat po sa pagbibigay ng aming kabuhayan at maging parte ng world-class construction industry. Sana tuluy-tuloy ang proyekto ng ating Secretary Tugade,” said Aristotle Angeles, a former OFW based in the UAE and is now a deputy manager of the Sta Clara International Corporation, a sub contractor for the PNR Clark Phase 1 Project.
Tugade likewise stated that more employment opportunities prioritizing former OFWs, displaced public utility drivers, and conductors will be opened under DOTr projects.
“Pinipilit at sinisikap ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon na magkaroon ng proyekto at gawain ang ating mga OFWs. Ang inisyatibong ito ay alinsunod ‘ho sa aking direktiba na bigyang prayoridad ang ating mga mahal na OFWs, kasama ng ating mga kababayang tsuper at konduktor pagdating sa pagkuha ng mga empleyado para sa mga proyekto ng DOTr. Layunin nito na sila ay matulungan sa pagtustos sa pang araw-araw nilang pangangailangan, maging ng kanilang pamilya, kung saan hindi na nila kinakailangang lumayo pa o magtungo sa ibang bansa,” Tugade said before 70 former OFWs now working at the Calumpit construction yard.
“Bibigyan natin sila ng hanapbuhay, hindi lamang sa riles, kundi pati na rin sa Aviation, Maritime at Road sectors. Marami tayong proyekto sa Pilipinas, para sa Pilipino,” he added.
Tugade also recalled his Meycauayan and Valenzuela visits, where he was welcomed by at least 188 former OFWs working at the site.
At least 7,500 workers were employed during the construction of the project, while 2,500 additional jobs will be made available once the project becomes operational.
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12 June 2021
*DOTr LAUDS FRONTLINERS AS ‘NEW HEROES’ AS PH CELEBRATES 123RD INDEPENDENCE DAY AMID PANDEMIC*
CLARK, PAMPANGA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) lauded the unparalleled role frontliners have played in the fight against COVID-19 during the celebration of the 123rd Philippine Independence Day today, 12 June 2021.
Officials of the DOTr conducted a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at its Central Office in Clark, Pampanga to mark and honor the nation’s Independence Day. Other DOTr officials and employees joined the rites virtually.
With the theme, “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan,” the DOTr and its attached agencies in the Road, Railway, Maritime, and Aviation sectors upheld the importance of freedom and unity as the country moves towards healing and recovery amid the global health crisis.
DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said the pandemic has brought out the heroic contributions of medical and economic frontliners in the whole-of-nation approach and in the efforts to heal and recover.
“Itong laban natin sa pandemyang ito ay nagbunga ng mga bagong bayani para sa ating bayan. Ang ating mga frontliners, ating mga medical health workers na patuloy na nakikidigma laban sa pandemya,” Usec. Tuazon said.
The official added that DOTr Secretary Art Tugade supports frontliners through transformational transport programs and initiatives. He stated that the Transportation Chief continues to bring inspiration and initiatives for the nation’s growth.
Usec. Tuazon highlighted the DOTr Free Ride Program for health workers and authorized persons outside residence (APORs) wherein essential travelers can avail of free transportation to and from their places of work. The “Libreng Sakay” program initiated by Sec. Tugade is now being carried out with the participation of drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) who are being paid on a per kilometer run under the Service Contracting Program.
“Mula sa mga proyekto nito para sa ating mga health workers, pagbisita sa mga transport groups sa iba’t ibang dako ng kapuluan, hanggang sa pagbubukas ng samu’t-saring programa sa apat nitong sektor, ang Aviation, Rail, Road, at Maritime, ay tunay na nagtataguyod ng malasakit at kaunlaran sa ating mga Pilipino. Ito po ay inilunsad ni Sec. Tugade para makatulong sa tinatawag na mga bagong bayani,” Tuazon said.
The DOTr official likewise noted that like the national heroes, frontliners risk their lives for the country. Usec. Tuazon also enjoined all government workers to help President Rodrigo Duterte fulfill the promise of a comfortable life for all Filipinos by ensuring the safety and convenience of the riding public.
“Dahil tayong lahat, simula sa ating mga mumunting adhikain at kontribusyon para sa isang progresibo, matagumpay, at mapagmalasakit na bayan ay mga susi upang maging isang bayani,” Tuazon added.
This year’s Independence Day commemoration was initiated by the DOTr Administrative Service in cooperation with the DOTr Communications and Commuter Affairs Office, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
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