DOTr exec: Signing of China-funded Subic-Clark Railway postponed

The Philippines will postpone the signing of the commercial agreement for the China-funded Subic-Clark Railway, as Beijing has yet to provide a list of three potential contractors, a transport official said on Wednesday.

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the Philippine government has yet to receive the shortlist of potential contractors for the railway.

“Hindi pa natatanggap yung tinatawag nating shortlist nung tatlong contractors kung kanino natin i-issue yung request for proposal natin,” Batan said in a press conference.

“As soon as matanggap natin yan, nakakasa na yung ating operations, closed na yung ating bidding documents lalo rin yung bids and awards committee,” he added.

Batan said the signing will not be finished in time for the visit to the country of China President Xi Jinping in November.

However, the agreement may be signed within this year or early 2019, he said.

“Para doon sa bisita ni President Xi nitong Nobyembre, ipagpapaliban muna natin yung pagpirma noong commercial agreement para sa railway pero ihahabol pa rin natin yan within this year or early next year para mapirmahan at makapagsimula tayo ng construction,” he said.

Meanwhile, the loan agreement for the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Long Haul or the PNR Bicol is set to be signed during President Xi’s visit.

“Doon sa PNR Long Haul or PNR Bicol, yan yung nakaschedule na pirmahan yung kontrata at yung loan agreement nitong Nobyembre sa pagbisita ni President Xi,” Batan said. /muf