attempt to revive the railway service, North Luzon Railways Corporation and China National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG) executed a Contract Agreement for the construction of Section I, Phase I of the North Luzon Railway System from Caloocan to Malolos on a turnkey basis. The project was worth $421,050,000. However, on February 13, 2006, a controversy arose from the project and the project was placed on halt indefinitely. In 2017, the project was revived and was called "North South Commuter Railway" with funds sourced from Japan through a loan. On January 5, 2018, the Department of Transportation broke ground for the first phase of the project. Utilities Water services are provided by the City of Malolos Water District (CMWD). The CMWD also provide water services on some barangays in the neighboring towns of Paombong and Hagonoy. Since 2012, the city is suffering from recurring water shortages. Electric services are provided by Meralco, the sole electric power distributor in Malolos. Government City Mayor: Christian D. Natividad (PDP–Laban) City Vice Mayor: Miguel Alberto T. Bautista (Aksyon) City Councilors: Francisco J. Castro (NUP) John Vincent G. Vitug III (NUP) Niño Carlo C. Bautista (NUP) Michael M. Aquino (Aksyon) Miguel Carlos B. Soto (NUP) Edgardo F. Domingo (NUP) Therese Cheryll B. Ople (Aksyon) Victorino M. Aldaba III (PDP-Laban) Emmanuel R. Sacay (Aksyon) Dennis D. San Diego (Aksyon) Ex Officio Members: Dionisio Mendoza (Liga ng mga Barangay President) Patrick S. Dela Cruz (Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President) Culture Heritage and tourism Malolos is hailed as the Premiere Heritage City of Bulacan. Many ancestral houses from the Spanish and American periods, Spanish colonial churches and chapels, historical sites and landmarks, and even structures such as walls and bridges with heritage and historical value are found around the city. Some of these were already marked by National Historical Institute while others are marked by the City Government. The historic town center of Malolos was declared National Heritage Landmark on August 15, 2001, under the name of Malolos Heritage Town. The Barasoain Church, erected in 1885, was the site of the very First Philippine Congress on September 15, 1898, and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899. In this church the Oath of Office of Emilio Aguinaldo and Joseph Estrada as Philippine presidents took place. Within the premises of Barasoain Church, there are other historical markers installed by National Historical Commission, such as the Universidad