MANILA TO BULACAN PNR-Clark phase 1 deal signed

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Friday signed a contract with a consulting group for the construction, supervision and bidding assistance of Phase 1 of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark project linking Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to the City of Malolos in Bulacan province.

Tugade said construction will begin before the end of December at the earliest and Jan. 6 at the latest.

Tugade and Yuji Asano, general manager of the Manila office of Oriental Consultants Global Ltd., signed the contract at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) office in Clark Freeport.

The DOTr took a loan on Nov. 27 from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to finance the north-south commuter railway project’s Tutuban-Malolos component.
According to the consulting deal, the project cost will not exceed $52,175,124 (P2,023,739,834).

The PNR Clark project takes the place of the defunct Northrail project, which was scuttled after the government and its Chinese contractor agreed to an out-of-court settlement, ending years of arbitration proceedings, according to the DOTr.  —TONETTE OREJAS

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/949216/philippine-news-updates-transportation-secretary-arthur-tugade-philippine-national-railways-clark-project#ixzz50749JN9m
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Uy group to undertake P62-B reclamation project

THE dealmaking rush continues for Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy after his consortium was awarded a P62-billion reclamation project in Pasay City.

Udenna Development Corp. (UDEVCO), Ulticon Builders, Inc. and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited submitted an unsolicited proposal to reclaim and develop 265 hectares of foreshore and offshore areas of Manila Bay located at the western part of Pasay City, Lawrence G. Velasco, project development director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, said in the second Philippine Construction Congress on Tuesday.

Sought for comment, Pasay City Chief Legal Officer Severo C. Madrona, Jr. said in an e-mail on Wednesday the city government and the consortium signed on Nov. 8 the contractual joint venture agreement, which was ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Nov. 10.

Both parties sealed the deal after the Pasay City Public Private Partnership Selection Committee received no counter-offer to challenge the unsolicited proposal of Pasay Harbor City Consortium, which was submitted on March 6, Mr. Madrona added.

The Pasay City government published an invitation for competing proposals last September.

Before the consortium could proceed with the project, it would have to go through several government agencies for evaluation, including the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) upon recommendation of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

Mr. Madrona said the new reclamation project is situated in a different area from that of the 300-hectare reclamation project of the SM Group, which sealed an agreement with the city government in 2013 but has yet to clear all regulatory hurdles.

Based on the terms of the agreement, the Pasay Harbor City Consortium will shoulder the entire cost of the project, which will be completed within four years from issuance of the notice to proceed.

As part of its proposal, the consortium will allocate at least 135.15 hectares or 51% of the area to be reclaimed, including roads and open spaces, for the Pasay City government or PRA.

“Reclamation deals in the Bay area are attractive for companies because it commands a certain premium in terms of unobstructed view of the Manila Bay,” Claro dG. Cordero, Jr., head of Jones Lang LaSalle’s research, consulting and valuation advisory services, said in a mobile phone message.

“The relatively low density of developments in reclaimed areas is also an added feature that certain businesses/companies are looking for,” Mr. Cordero said.

The Bay Area has seen increased activity with the opening of several multibillion integrated resort and casino projects at the Entertainment City, a gaming hub organized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to rival Macau and Las Vegas.

UDEVCO, which is developing its own $300-million integrated resort and casino in Cebu, is owned by Mr. Uy, while Davao-based Ulticon Builders is owned by Carlos “Charlie” S. Gonzalez.

A known friend of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Mr. Uy has been on an aggressive acquisition binge to expand his business beyond Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

This year alone, Mr. Uy secured a license to develop the first integrated resort and casino outside Manila, acquired Bonifacio Global City-based school Enderun Colleges, purchased the company developing a 177-hectare logistics hub in Clark and took over the local operator of FamilyMart convenience stores.

His logistics company Chelsea Logistics Holding Corp. made its debut on the stock exchange last June, using the proceeds of the offer to expand his fleet and further acquire more shipping companies.

http://bworldonline.com/uy-group-undertake-p62-b-reclamation-project/

DOTr signs contracts for PNR, LRT-1 extension projects

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and consultants of the NSTRen Consortium signed on Friday a contract for construction of the Philippine National Railway Clark Phase 1, connecting Tutuban and Malolos.

Prior to the contract signing, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representative Tetsuya Yamada said the PNR Clark Phase 1 or the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, which it will finance, will be a “game changer” for public transportation.

The project is expected to break ground either by yearend or by January.

Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Katahira & Engineers International, Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc., Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd., Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. serve as the main consultants, while DCCD Engineering Corp., Engineering and Development Corporation of the Philippines, J.F. Cancio & Associates, Schema Konsult, Inc., SMEC Philippines, Inc. and TCGI Engineers are the sub-consultants for the project.

According to the contract signed by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. Manila office general manager Yuji Asano, the payment for these consultants shall not exceed $52,175,124.00.

DOTr also signed a procurement contract with Mitsubishi Corp. on the same day for an additional 120 Light Rail Vehicles with a minimum capacity of 1,388 passengers, to extend the Light Rail Transit Line 1 to Cavite. This will add 12 more kilometers to LRT-1, which has undergone a lengthy bidding process since October 2016.

“The final contract price is not only within budget, but is also approximately 20% lower than the bid price of the next-ranked bidder,” DOTr assistant secretary Timothy John R. Batan said in a statement.

The Cavite extension project will finally start construction next year and is expected to be completed by 2022.

Four coaches are expected to reach the Philippines by Aug. 31, 2020, while the next 40 LRVs are scheduled to arrive in December that same year. Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarrile, which serves as the project’s sub-contractor, will complete the delivery by Dec. 31, 2021. — A.G.A. Mogato

‘Kambal, Karibal’ another riveting tale of family, love

GMA Network premiered last Nov. 27 its newest primetime drama series “Kambal, Karibal” about family and love that crosses over into the supernatural realm.

Crisanta and Criselda are twins. Unfortunately, Criselda dies from a rare disease and remains a spirit that only appears to Crisanta. However, their close bond falls apart when they both fall in love with the same guy, Diego.

Headlining this series are Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali both excited and ready to take on more mature roles.

Also in the cast are Jean Garcia, Marvin Agustin, Alfred Vargas, returning Kapuso Carmina Villarroel; Gloria Romero, Christopher de Leon, Jeric Gonzales, Pauline Mendoza, Rafa Siguion Reyna, Sheree, Racquel Montessa, and introducing Kyline Alcantara with the special participation of Katrina Halili and Gardo Versoza.

“Kambal, Karibal” airs weeknights after “Super Ma’am” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Bayanihan marks 60th anniversary

The Bayanihan Philippine Dance Co. marked recently its 60th anniversary with a week-long celebration culminating with a grand ball. Alumni came home from all parts of the world just to attend the unforgettable event.

Among them were Ruby Benitez, Bayanihan Alumni Association president, Maribel Dario, Sylvia Olimpo, Tony Boy de la Rea, Dan Carrasco, Lina Winebrenner, Paquto and Peeney Abacan, Bobby and Polly Herrera, Angie Toral, and several others. Former Miss RP Joy Conde also attended the event.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 2, go to Vivian Velez, Nora Daza, Dolor Guevarra, Mila Magsino, Shirley Bantayan, Mark Parlade, Rogelio Belen, Frederick Bonoan, Edmar Estabillo of DZRH, Davao del Sur Governor Douglas RA Cagas, Bernie Belen and Lyn Ching Pascual of ‘Unang Hirit’… Dec. 3: F. Sionil Jose, Ronnie Ricketts, Perla Ocampo, Jodie Lacsa, Carmen Gabriel, Antonio Seva, Mita Montinola, Rep. Albertito Lopez, Rep. Raul Gonzales, Jr., Amb. Filemon Cuevas, and Jessy Mendiola … Dec. 4: Ramir Arce Romero, Oskar Peralta, Rep. Venice Agana, Ruby Amoranto, Gilda Salonga, Dinggay Espiritu, Bobby Ongkiko, Sharon Almonte, Rosario Ng, Rep. Ronnie Zamora, Jennifer de Silva, Yeng Constantino, and  my son Walden Sadiri M. Belen… World Premier Prebio will present this year’s search for Empowered Men and Women to be held at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills tonight at 7…Jardine Cordero- Pagunsan of California, U.S.A. and Kar Rorlin Advincula of Pasay City a Belated Happy Birthday (Nov. 30)

DoTr signs deal for Clark Phase 1 train project

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) signed a contract on Friday for bid supervision and consultancy services in connection with the 38-kilometer (km.) Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 Project that will first connect Tutuban to Malolos, Bulacan.

The portion covered by the deal with NSTren Consortium would form part of the 106-km. PNR Clark Project connecting Tutuban Center in Manila to Clark, Pampanga.

The Tutuban-Clark line is expected to carry 350,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.

Also known as the North-South Commuter Railway Project, it will cost P105 billion and will be funded by official development assistance from Japan.

“Actual start of construction of the Malolos-Clark Railway is before the end of December 2017, at the earliest, and at the latest, January 6, 2018,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The DOTr has also signed a contract with Mitsubishi-CAF for the supply of 120 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Light Rail Transit-1 Cavite Extension Project.

The 120 LRVs worth P30 billion will be configured in 30 four-car train sets to allow the rail line to accommodate up to 750,000 passengers daily.

Construction of Manila-Clark Railway to Start Soon

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is finally being revived with the impending construction of the Manila – Clark Railway.

The contract for the construction supervision and tender assistance consultant for PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) has been signed in a ceremony at the DOTr Central Office in Clark, Pampanga. This paves the way for the start of construction of the 38-km. Tutuban-Malolos segment of the 106-km system that will connect Manila with New Clark City.

NSTren Consortium, the project’s construction supervision consultant, will supervise the construction which will start in December-January.

The NSTren consultancy was originally programmed to be procured over a period of 1.5 years, from October 2015 to March 2017. With the joint efforts of DOTr, PNR, and Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service (DBM-PS), a successful and transparent bidding was completed in four months, with a final contract price that is 20% lower as budgeted in the loan agreement.

“The DOTr will continue ensuring successful, competitive, and corruption-free bidding processes, as we deliver on the Duterte Administration’s Build Build Build program,” said Assistant Secretary for Railways TJ Batan.