Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista has directed the railways sector and private contractors to ensure the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project is completed on-time.

Bautista issued the directive during the quarterly assessment meeting of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Railways Sector on the progress of the NSCR project.

“It’s important that we discuss issues and concerns so that we will be able to finish the project, and at the same time, we will be able to address all problems. We need to work together,” Secretary Bautista said.

This was stressed by the Secretary following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s directive to “spare no effort to complete this monumental task” of building the rail project.

“I urge all concerned agencies to work together to address the potential challenges concerning the project’s right-of-way, such as the need for land acquisition and the relocation of utility poles installed along the area, so that the affected properties are cleared in time for the commencement of civil works,” the President said.

On Thursday, July 14, President Marcos witnessed the signing of the remaining contract packages for civil works of the NSCR’s south commuter section.

As of writing, all but one contract package for the construction of the NSCR have been awarded and signed. The remaining civil works contract package to be awarded is for the construction of the new Tutuban Station in Manila

Once completed, about 800,000 commuters are expected to take ride the new rail system daily by 2029.