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The Philippine Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has postponed the deadline to submit qualification documents for the North-South Railway PPP project (South Line) sine die.

The new deadline will be moved from April 15. Previously, the submission was delayed from March 31 to April 15. More details about the new deadline have not been disclosed although it is expected to be set up after the national elections, on Monday May 9th.

The deadline to submit the qualifications had been extended several times after the first deadline, 15 October 2015, was set up.

According to the DOTC, it is still seeking approval to modify details and the structure of the rail PPP project. The changes would include the adoption of a standard gauge. Additionally, DOTC wants to separate the development of the commuter line from the long-haul line.

According to sources, prequalification documents have been purchased by San Miguel Holdings Corporation, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, IL&FS Transport networks Limited, and Fluor Daniel Pacific Inc.

The preferred bidder will be responsible for the design, construct, install, commission and finance of:

• 56 km Commuter Rail from Tutuban, Manila to Calamba, Laguna; and

• 478 km Long-Haul Rail from Tutuban, Manila to Legazpi, Albay in the Bicol Region with the following possible extensions: Calamba, Laguna to Batangas City, Batangas (58 km); and Legazpi, Albay to Matnog, Sorsogon (117 km).

The PPP project will also improve long-haul and commuter stations, repair bridges, and modernize signaling and fare collection systems. In addition to designing and building the railway, the winners of the PPP concession will also operate and maintain the South Line for 30 years.

The total project investment is estimated at P170.7 billion (US$3.7 billion).

In early December we reported that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) granted a $US2 billion loan to fund the Philippines government's portion of the project.