Five groups have shown interest in one of the biggest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects under the Aquino administration, the Php 171 billion North-South Railway Project (South Line) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The groups that purchased the prequalification documents of the project are:
1. San Miguel Holdings Corporation;
2. Metro Pacific Investment Corporation;
3. AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation;
4. IL&FS Transport Networks Limited; and
5. Fluor Daniel Pacific Inc.

According to the Special Bid Bulletin released on January 22, 2016, DOTC moved the submission of the qualification documents from February 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016.

The winning bidder will design, construct, install, commission, finance, operate, and maintain the existing 56 km commuter rail line from Tutuban, Manila to Calamba City, Laguna. It is also expected to do the same for the 478 km long haul rail operations from Tutuban to Legazpi City with the possible spur lines extension of 58 km from Calamba City to Batangas City and 117 km from Legazpi City to Matnog, Sorsogon.

This PPP project is part of the government’s efforts to promote inclusive growth by reviving and extending the existing Philippine National Railways line.

As of February 1, 2016, fourteen (14) PPP projects are under procurement worth USD 12.36 billion. The government has already awarded twelve (12) PPP projects and three of them are already completed namely the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway, Automatic Fare Collection System and PPP for School Infrastructure Project Phase I.