Govt kicks off construction of Metro Manila Subway

The multi-billion peso Metro Manila Subway is now underway after government officials led a groundbreaking ceremony today, February 27, in Valenzuela City.

Govt kicks off construction of Metro Manila Subway

The first Metro Manila subway project

Metro Manila Subway will connect to the MRT-3, LRT-2 and PNR

This is the country's first underground rail system, under President Rodrigo Duterte's PHP 8 trillion infrastructure program. 

Once completed, the 36-kilometer subway seeks to cut travel time from Valenzuela to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to 30 minutes, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said. 

For the first phase, the DOTr targets to complete three stations located in Valenzuela, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue by 2022 to start partial operations. The DOTr tapped the joint venture of Shimizu Corp, Fujita Corp and Tajenaka Civil Engineering Co of Japan for this phase.

When we announced that we are doing the Subway, many sectors did not believe. Sabi nila, "Subway station? Drawing lang 'yan. Hindi totoo 'yan." Sa mga nagduda, ang Subway Station po ay totoo. Sa mga naniniwala, pabaunan niyo po kami ng tiwala at dasal. Ito ang magbibigay sa ating mga Pilipino ng comfortable life, Transportation chief Arthur Tugade said. 

The project aims to ease traffic woes as it would cross seven cities and municipalities including 3 business districts. It will connect to the MRT-3, LRT-2 and PNR lines, making commuting easier and faster. 

According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency, daily economic losses due to traffic had already reached P3.5 billion. 

The subway’s full operation is seen to begin by 2025.

Source: ABS-CBN