MPIC hopeful of support for Mla-Calamba train project

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. ( MPIC) is optimistic the next administration would support a proposed agreement between Manila Electric Co. ( Meralco) subsidiary MRAIL Inc. and the Philippine National Railways ( PNR) to revive a freight train service from Manila to Calamba.

“That one is for signing. We are just waiting for the next administration to give it it’s blessing,” MPIC president and chief executive officer Jose Ma. Lim said.

MPIC has investments in Meralco through Beacon Electric Asset Holdings Inc.

Earlier, PNR general manager Joseph Allan Dilay said while the agency is ready to sign the agreement anytime, it may be best to let the next administration approve the deal.

“We are in transition. Better (if signing is in) July,” he said.

The agreement with MRAIL to operate a freight train service was originally scheduled for signing in January.

Signing of the agreement was postponed however, due to right of way issues raised by the Philippine Ports Authority.

Under the plan to revive and run the cargo freight service, MRAIL — which is involved in rail investments, operations and maintenance, as well as in rail technical services — formed a strategic alliance with International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).

Once signed, the agreement with PNR would allow MRAIL to operate the freight train service or a minimum of eight round trips per day with an average daily container transfer of 600 twenty-foot equivalent units from the Manila International Container Terminal to the Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal of ICTSI and vice versa.

MRAIL president and chief executive officer Ferdinand Inacay said earlier that MRAIL and ICTSI are looking to invest about P1 billion for three train sets for the freight service to meet the projected demand.

The rail service was operated by the ICTSI in the late 1990s but was stopped in 2002.

Given the congestion and lack of new roads, the private sector wants to revive the service to support the growth of the manufacturing industry.