Department of Transportation (DOTr) in Philippines has awarded the contract for the first phase of the Bicol line to the China Railway consortium. Bicol railway line is part of the Philippines national railway (PNR) and includes a 565 km-long rail line connecting Metro Manila to Bicol. In the first phase, the Bicol line will link Metro Manila to the southern Luzon provinces of Sorsogon and Batangas covering four provinces and 39 cities.

The consortium comprises China Railway Group, China Railway No 3 Engineering Group and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group. It will provide design, construction, and electromechanical works of the first 380km stretch from Banlic to Daraga with the construction of 23 stations, 230 bridges, 10 passenger tunnels, and a 70ha depot in San Pablo.

The estimated investment value of the project is PHP142 billion (US$2.78 billion).