A dream of more than 50 years now, had been seeing of becoming a reality as the Metro Manila Subway Project, the “Project of the Century” have recent progress this year. Stands as a remarkable venture to transportation of the Philippines’ bustling capital region, this project will be one of the answers to traffic jams and improved connectivity and efficiency of logistics.
What is Metro Manila Subway Project?
Metro Manila Subway Project regarded as the ‘Project of the Century’ is the 3rd largest project under the Build Better More (BBM) program of Marcos administration preceded by the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, is to build a 33-km underground railway aiming a 35-minute travel from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay. On full operations, the railway is expected to accommodate around 519,000 commuters in a day through their 30 eight-car trains and is set to achieve by 2029.
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Recently, there are 17 stations confirmed subway routes that stretches from Valenzuela to Parañaque.
- East Valenzuela Station
- Quirino Highway Station
- Tandang Sora Station
- North Avenue Station
- Quezon Avenue Station
- East Avenue Station
- Anonas Station
- Camp Aguinaldo Station
- Ortigas Avenue Station
- Shaw Boulevard Station
- Kalayaan Avenue Station
- BGC Station
- Lawton Station
- Senate-DepEd Station
- NAIA Terminal 3 (branch line)
- FTI Station
- Bicutan Station
‘Project of the Century’ Recent Updates
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) shared to the public about the progress of Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1, hitting 40% completion as observed on their recent site inspection in February. The actual construction began in January 2023 falling behind its initial schedule from 2019 due to multiple operational challenges such as the infamous right of way issue of some property owners refusing to cooperate with the project.
The Department of Finance also reported that the subway will generate almost P2.5 billion daily, totaling an approximate of P930.26 billion yearly from a budget of P488.5 billion would not only provide convenience and faster travel times but also make a significant contribution to reducing traffic congestions and carbon emissions on the environment.
What More Can We Expect on the Metro Manila Subway Project?
Due to worsening traffic and unreliable trains in Metro Manila, the Duterte government decided to restart a subway project in 2016, realizing it was really needed. An economic study showed that traffic jams were costing the economy a huge amount every day, and this would get worse if nothing was done. The project got the go-ahead in 2017, and by 2018, the money needed was ready.
Right now, the construction industry is also getting ready to start building by putting together a huge machine that will dig the tunnels starting next year. A group of companies, including some from Japan and a local one, will build the first part of the subway.
This new subway will change how people get around in Metro Manila. Currently, over 1.3 million people use the existing trains every day. The subway is expected to help a lot more people, with numbers growing significantly by 2025, 2030, and 2035.
As the “Project of the Century” progresses, it embodies the aspirations for a modernized and connected Metro Manila. The subway will not only make traveling easier but also improve people’s lives, make businesses do better, and increase the value of land. It’s a big step towards making the city a better place to live and work.
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