MARILAO, Bulacan (PIA) — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is positioning the North-South CommuterRailway (NSCR) Marilao Station as a model of transit-oriented development in Bulacan, supporting the national government’s move to integrate infrastructure and inclusive growth.
PNR General Manager Engr. Deovanni S. Miranda said that the ongoing construction of the NSCR Marilao station is emerging to be a game changer for the town, not only for reshaping the physical landscape, but also in attracting new investments and encouraging the expansion of existing ones.
This development supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call in his previous State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) for improved connectivity, efficient mobility, and infrastructure that spurs inclusive growth.
The Marilao Station forms part of the administration’s Build Better More program, which underscores railway modernization as a key strategy to unlock the country’s development potential.
In 2017, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the SM Group
signed an agreement to cooperate on the station’s construction and its integration with commercial properties.
SM City Marilao Mall Manager Emmanuel Gatmaitan said the station’s construction boosted the mall’s expansion, which now includes a multilevel parking building adjacent to the station.
This facility promotes the park-and-ride concept, to enable commuters to leave their vehicles, and take the train to their destination.
A designated space on the northern side of the mall is also set to host an intermodal terminal, which will allow NSCR passengers to seamlessly transfer to buses, jeepneys, and tricycles, or vice versa, when going to their destination.
Additional expansions behind the mall will accommodate new retail spaces, while the southern side is now home to rising condominium developments.
To mitigate flooding in the area, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has already completed the upgrading of the Marilao section of MacArthur Highway and improved drainage systems near the station.
Miranda said the Marilao Station will play a vital role in connecting the 147-kilometer NSCR line from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna.
The station will feature a double-track design, including a reserve track for ‘mercy trips’ during service disruptions to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Aside from the Marilao Station, transit-oriented development is also expected at other NSCR stations like Malolos, Guiguinto and Meycauayan.
The P879-billion NSCR, the country’s longest railway project, is jointly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of the Republic of the Philippines. It is a priority project under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who committed to its partial operation by 2028. (MJSC/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
