Philippines : Malolos-Clark Railway Project

Sovereign Project | 52083-001

The project will support the construction of two sections, totaling 53.1 kilometers (km), of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a 163 km suburban railway network connecting the regional center of Clark in Central Luzon with Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna. The Malolos-Clark Railway Project comprises: (i) Malolos-Clark section (51.2 km) from Malolos to Clark and Clark International Airport, and (ii) Blumentritt extension (1.9 km) connecting Solis and Blumentritt stations in Metro Manila District I (City of Manila). Both sections are part of the NSCR and extensions of the Tutuban-Solis-Malolos section financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The NSCR will be completed during 2024-2028 as an integrated dedicated suburban passenger railway system comprising four sections: (i) Tutuban-Solis-Malolos, (ii) Malolos-Clark-Clark International Airport, and (iii) Solis-Blumentritt-Calamba. The Clark-New Clark City extension is being planned.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Islam, Mohammad Nazrul
    Southeast Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Philippines
  • Sector
    • Transport
Project Name Malolos-Clark Railway Project
Project Number 52083-001
Country / Economy Philippines
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Loan
Source of Funding / Amount
MFF Facility Concept 0106-PHI: Malolos-Clark Railway Project
Ordinary capital resources US$ 2,750.00 million
MFF Facility Concept: Malolos-Clark Railway Project
Japan International Cooperation Agency US$ 2,011.00 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Transport / Rail transport (non-urban)

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The project will support the construction of two sections, totaling 53.1 kilometers (km), of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a 163 km suburban railway network connecting the regional center of Clark in Central Luzon with Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna. The Malolos-Clark Railway Project comprises: (i) Malolos-Clark section (51.2 km) from Malolos to Clark and Clark International Airport, and (ii) Blumentritt extension (1.9 km) connecting Solis and Blumentritt stations in Metro Manila District I (City of Manila). Both sections are part of the NSCR and extensions of the Tutuban-Solis-Malolos section financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The NSCR will be completed during 2024-2028 as an integrated dedicated suburban passenger railway system comprising four sections: (i) Tutuban-Solis-Malolos, (ii) Malolos-Clark-Clark International Airport, and (iii) Solis-Blumentritt-Calamba. The Clark-New Clark City extension is being planned. The project will provide affordable, reliable, and safe public transport; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to cutting travel time from Metro Manila to Clark from 2-3 hours (by bus) to less than 1 hour by rail.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The Project will support the national spatial strategy (NSS) of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, which serves as the basis for policies on urban and infrastructure development in accordance with AmBisyon Natin 2040. The NSS recognizes the role of cities as engines of economic growth and poverty reduction, and infrastructure to provide efficient connective networks of sustainable communities. It aims to decongest Metro Manila and direct growth to other key areas and address spatial and socioeconomic inequalities by linking lagging regions with leading ones, rather than advocating the uniform dispersal of development. The Government's "Build, Build, Build" Program in which the Project is included, builds upon this national strategy.
Impact

Local, national, and international connectivity improved

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Efficiency and capacity of transportation along the Manila-Clark corridor improved

Progress Toward Outcome The loan has been declared effective on 26 September 2019. The procurement for 5 civil works contract packages, CP N-01 to N-05 has been completed and the contractors were mobilized in October (N-04/N-05) and December 2020 (N-01/N-02/N-03). The procurement process for contract package S-01 is ongoing due to rebidding. The contract package was readvertised on 4 December 2020 and bids were opened on 14 July 2021. DOTr submitted the Bid Evaluation Report for CP S-01 on 6 December 2021 for ADB review.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

New railway line commissioned

Institutional capacity strengthened

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) Bidding for 5 civil works packages (CP N-01 to N-05) financed under the project has been completed. Contracts for CP N-04 and N-05 were signed on 1 August 2020. CP N-04 contractor commenced civil works on 30 October 2020 while CP N-05 contractor commenced civil works on 28 October 2020. Contracts for CP N-01, N-02, and N-03 were signed on 8 October 2020. Contractors commenced civil works on 7 December 2020.Current progress of the civil works of each package achieved at the end of September 2021 (based on the latest quarterly progress report [Q3 2021], from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is 3.36% for CP N-01, 6.82% (CP N-02), 8.84% (CP N-03), 10.67% (CP N-04), and 3.87% (CP N-05).Procurement process for rebidding contract package S-01 is ongoing. The contract package was advertised on 4 December 2020 and bids were opened on 14 July 2021. DOTr submitted the BER for CP S-01 on 6 December 2021 for ADB review.Bidding for 5 civil works packages (CP N-01 to N-05) financed under the project has been completed. Contracts for CP N-04 and N-05 were signed on 1 August 2020. CP N-04 contractor commenced civil works on 30 October 2020 while CP N-05 contractor commenced civil works on 28 October 2020. Contracts for CP N-01, N-02, and N-03 were signed on 8 October 2020. Contractors commenced civil works on 7 December 2020.Current progress of the civil works of each package achieved at the end of September 2021 (based on the latest quarterly progress report [Q3 2021], from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is 3.36% for CP N-01, 6.82% (CP N-02), 8.84% (CP N-03), 10.67% (CP N-04), and 3.87% (CP N-05).Procurement process for rebidding contract package S-01 is ongoing. The contract package was advertised on 4 December 2020 and bids were opened on 14 July 2021. DOTr submitted the BER for CP S-01 on 6 December 2021 for ADB review.No contracts have been awarded; further discussion for implementation of the three output subcomponents will be carried out in Q1 and Q2/2022.No contracts have been awarded; further discussion for implementation of the three output subcomponents will be carried out in Q1 and Q2/2022.No contracts have been awarded; further discussion for implementation of the three output subcomponents will be carried out in Q1 and Q2/2022.This indicator was added to Output 2 on 18 December 2019 as a result of the approval of TA 9913-PHI: Strengthening the Transition of Vulnerable Communities Affected by the Malolos-Clark Railway Project.Recruitment of the consulting firm was completed on 1 October 2020 when the contract between ADB and the consulting firm was signed. Consulting firm commenced services on 3 November 2020.An individual Independent Evaluation Expert was engaged and services commenced on 1 February 2021.
Geographical Location Angeles, Apalit, Clark Special Economic Zone, Mabalacat, Malolos, Minalin, San Fernando, Santo Tomas
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The project was assessed category A for the environment. Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have been prepared for the MalolosClark section and for the Blumentritt extension in compliance with the Safeguard Policy Statement. Key project environmental issues identified and addressed are dust emissions during construction, noise and vibration during construction and operation, waste generation, traffic congestion and impediments to public access, and occupational and community health and safety. Public consultations were undertaken during EIA preparation. The DOTr will ensure that (i) the EMP in the EIA will be incorporated in bid documents for all packages regardless of financing source; (ii) consultations with people affected by construction activities are carried out throughout construction; and (iii) a grievance redress mechanism will be established, adequately resourced, and publicized before commencing civil works.
Involuntary Resettlement The project was assessed category A for involuntary resettlement. The project will require acquisition of 49 hectares (ha) of land: 46 ha for the Malolos-Clark section and 3 ha for the Blumentritt extension. Resettlement impacts have been minimized by using PNR-owned land and government-owned land wherever possible. Out of the estimated 1,889 project affected households, equivalent to a total number of 7,581 project affected persons, the majority are expected to be severely affected and required to relocate and most of them are informal settlers. A resettlement and indigenous peoples planning framework (RIPPF) has been prepared for the MFF following the Safeguard Policy Statement to guide the preparation of the Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs). Feasibility study based RAPs have been prepared for the Malolos-Clark section and the Blumentritt extension based on resettlement surveys, social assessments, and consultations. Five RAPs based on the detailed engineering design (DED) have been prepared and approved prior to the contract awards: Mabalacat section, Malolos-Clark section divided into Landowner (LO) RAP and Non-Landowner (NLO) RAP as well as LO and NLO RAPs for the Solis-Blumentrirr Extension. The RAPs mitigate involuntary resettlement impacts by providing compensation at replacement cost along with assistance for relocation and livelihood restoration. Measures have been incorporated to improve the living standards of vulnerable affected people. The Mabalacat DED RAP covering contract package CP-N-04 and contract package CP N-05 and DED RAP covering CP-N-01/02/03 have been updated based on the property appraisal and valuation conducted by Land Bank of the Philippines. DOTr has already started issuing the Notice of Taking (NoT) and Request for Submission of Documents to the affected people. The National Housing Authority (NHA) has completed the construction of the housing units for the Mabalacat project affected persons (PAPs) located in Northville 16, Atlu Bola, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. NHA relocated the PAPs to their new homes on 30 June 2021. In other project affected areas, NHA is still in the process of completing the requirements for the site selection and construction of the permanent relocation sites in coordination with DOTr and the respective local government units. Social preparation activities are still on-going. Disbursements of compensation for structures, fruit-bearing, timber trees and crops were disbursed among the PAPs of Mabalacat.
Indigenous Peoples The whole project is assessed category B for indigenous peoples because of one project area's proximity to indigenous ancestral domain land in Pampanga province. However, due diligence confirmed that the project does not encroach on indigenous peoples land and a certificate of non-overlap with ancestral domain land has been issued by the Philippines National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, due diligence for the project indicated that impacts on indigenous peoples are not anticipated, and an indigenous peoples plan was not prepared. The RIPPF for the MFF follows the Safeguard Policy Statement to guide the preparation of indigenous peoples plans, should impacts on indigenous peoples be identified when subsequent tranches are processed.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design A communication and participation strategy for the project has been prepared. Incorporating stakeholder analysis findings, the strategy will identify effective communication channels, best approaches to foster participation and partnerships, key messages, and means of integrating activities with the grievance redressal mechanism. The strategy includes implementation timelines, roles and responsibilities, budget, monitoring and evaluation requirements for project communication. Key components of the strategy ensures proactively disclosing project information and activities to local communities and stakeholders; soliciting stakeholders input and feedback on beneficial mitigation measures; encouraging community participation in project activities that affect or could benefit stakeholders, such as civil works construction; and conducting awareness-raising activities related to HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, and safety measures.
During Project Implementation The Project Management Office will have overall responsibility for the implementation of the strategy, supported by the construction supervision consultant. The grievance redress mechanism has been set up for the Malolos-Clark section. Consultations and validation activities for the preparation of entitlements are ongoing. LGUs convened the respective Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) for the relocation and resettlement of the affected Informal Settlers Families (ISFs). LIAC's subcommittees the Beneficiary Selection, Arbitration and Awards Committee (BSAAC)and Livelihood have conducted coordination and consultation meetings.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services None
Procurement

Open competitive bidding in accordance with ADB's Procurement Policy (2017, as amended from time to time) and Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers (2017, as amended from time to time).

Bidding for 5 civil works packages (CP N-01 to N-05) financed under the project has been completed. Contracts for CP N-04 and N-05 were signed on 1 Aug 2020 and civil works commenced on 30 October 2020 and 28 October 2020, respectively. Contracts for CP N-01, N-02, and N-03 were signed on 8 Oct 2020 and civil works commenced on 7 December 2020.

Procurement process for contract package S-01 is ongoing due to rebidding. The contract package was readvertised on 4 December 2020 and bids were opened on 14 July 2021. DOTr submitted the Bid Evaluation Report for CP S-01 on 6 December 2021 for ADB review.

Responsible ADB Officer Islam, Mohammad Nazrul
Responsible ADB Department Southeast Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Transport and Communications Division, SERD
Timetable
Concept Clearance 22 Aug 2018
Fact Finding 15 Oct 2018 to 31 Oct 2018
MRM 11 Dec 2018
Approval 23 May 2019
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 12 May 2022

MFF Facility Concept 0106-PHI

Financing Plan Loan Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 4,128.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 2,750.00 - 0.00 0.00 %
Counterpart 1,378.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 - 0.00 0.00 %

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Malolos-Clark Railway Project: Facility Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual Apr 2019
Malolos-Clark Railway Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Apr 2019
Malolos-Clark Railway Project: Gender Action Plan Gender Action Plans Apr 2019
Malolos-Clark Railway Project: Framework Financing Agreement Framework Financing Agreement Mar 2019
Malolos-Clark Railway Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Feb 2019
Malolos-Clark Railway Project, Phase 1: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Aug 2018

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
52083-PHI: Malolos-Clark Railway Project [PB19-156-2, Package CP S-01] Invitation for Bids Closed
52083-PHI: Malolos-Clark Railway Project [Packages CP N-04 and CP N-05] Invitation for Bids Closed
52083-PHI: Malolos-Clark Railway Project [CP N-01, CP N-02, and CP N-03] Invitation for Bids Closed
PHI: Malolos–Clark Railway Project, Phase 1 [UPDATED] Advance Notice Active
PHI: Malolos–Clark Railway Project, Phase 1 Advance Notice Active

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Malolos-Clark Railway Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Feb 2019