By Louella D. Desiderio (The
Philippine Star) | Updated March 26, 2015 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines - State-run Bases
Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is drawing up the Terms of
Reference (TOR) for the Clark Rail Transit System as it schedule to the bid out
of the project before the end of the year.
According to BCDA president and Chief
Executive Officer Arnel Paciano Casanova drafting the TOR as it intends to bid
out the Clark Rail as a joint venture (JV) project.
The electric-powered Clark Rail
project would cover 82 kilometers (km) of double back track between Malolos in
Bulacan and Tarlac City in Tarlac, and have approximately 13 stations.
It is expected to be offered for
bidding before the end of the year.
“Offhand, BCDA will provide the land
needed including substantial areas for commercial development at every station.
The private JV partner will plan, design, finance, build, operate and maintain
the Clark Rail,” Casanova said.
The JV partner is expected to conduct
the final alignment study for the project.
“We are considering to put the Clark
Rail on a new alignment that would allow us to provide the area needed for the
commercial development at every station. The Clark Rail will serve as the
backbone for the movement of goods, services and people to and from Manila,
Clark Green City, Clark International Airport, Clark Special Economic Zone, and
Tarlac City,” Casanova said.
The BCDA would also provide some 100
hectares of land in Clark Green City for use as a transport hub that would
include the Clark Rail depot.
The Clark Rail will link with the
North-South Commuter Rail (NSCR) project that would cover Malolos until Calamba
in Laguna.
The NSCR project which was approved by
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board chaired by
President Aquino in February, is estimated to cost P288 billion. – With Ding
Cervantes
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