NSCR full operations pushed back to 2033

THE North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) is now targeted to be fully operational by 2033 after the Economy and Development (ED) Council approved amendments to the project, with partial operations expected to start in December 2027.

The full operations of the NSCR are now targeted to start by the third quarter of 2033, later than the previous January 2032 target, after procurement challenges, tighter government spending and right-of-way issues delayed the flagship railway project.

“Regarding the North-South Commuter Railway Operations and Maintenance PPP (public-private partnership) project, there were some changes to the timeline. This was due to the need for fiscal prudence and careful management of public funds, challenges in the procurement process, and right-of-way issues,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino.

Under the revised schedule, the railway’s full commercial operations from Clark to Calamba are now expected by the third quarter of 2033.

“The expected timeline for the first partial operation (Valenzuela to Malolos) is December 2027; the second partial operation (Malolos to Clark) is set for the fourth quarter of 2028; and the third partial operation (Clark-Solis-Alabang to Calamba) is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2031,” Ms. Castro said.

The ED Council, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., had approved revisions to the parameters, terms and conditions for the NSCR project, in order to attract more bidders and encourage “competitive proposals.”

“Generally, the amendments involve the timelines and slight budget adjustments,” Ms. Castro said, but did not specify the amount.

The 147-kilometer elevated railway line seeks to ease travel across three regions Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).

“The NSCR is an investment in opportunity,” said the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary and ED Council Vice-Chair Arsenio M. Balisacan. “Improved mobility will expand access to jobs, markets, education, and services across regions, reflecting our commitment to a more productive, resilient, and inclusive economy,” he added.

CEBU AIRPORT CONCESSION
At the same time, the ED Council also approved the extension concession for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which is managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp.  since end-2024.

“The approved extension of the concession period for the MCIA will provide a longer investment recovery period, enabling needed improvements such as the restoration and expansion of domestic and international routes and more seamless airport transfers, while minimizing pressure to increase passenger service charges,” the ED Council said, but did not specify how long the concession period was extended.

Sought for comment, the Aboitiz Group said it has yet to receive official notice from the ED Council on the extension.

The council said the MCIA concessionaire commits to provide nearly P15 billion in “capacity augmentation and capital investments.”

The airport was originally developed and operated by the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., which won the 25-year concession in 2014.

The ED Council also approved changes to the scope, cost and implementation timelines of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education and Training System project.

Similar changes were approved for the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers project.

Meanwhile, the ED council directed a review of the proposed guidelines on the suspension and resumption of classes amid tropical cyclones, earthquakes, storm surges, poor air quality, volcanic hazards, and extreme heat.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua had earlier urged the Palace to review the policy on blanket suspensions, citing the disruption to face-to-face learning.

In a letter to Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto that he shared with BusinessWorld, Mr. Chua said the “total cancellation since Aug. 1 is around 11 days already out of 27 class days, for a 41% cancellation rate.” — J.I.D.Tabile and E.M.P.Sinaking