Manila subway eyed to be completed by 2024 —DOTr

The government's planned Mega Manila Subway is expected to be completed by 2024 with the contract targeted to be signed by Philippine and Japanese officials in November, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.

"It is targeted to be started in the fourth quarter of 2020 but I'm trying to push them to start it by 2019, with completion on the second quarter of 2024," Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said during the Dutertenomics Forum in Pasay City.

The planned subway was one of the rail projects agreed upon by Japan and the Philippines, earlier announced by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia.

"Target signing for contract is November this year," Tugade said, noting that the agreement is expected to be signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

According to Tugade, the subway system will connect Quezon City and Taguig City with a travel time of 31 minutes.

"It will be the first subway system in the Philippines and will be using the Japanese tunnelling expertise," he said.

Tugade also noted that further amendments to the project may entail the inclusion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

"As of yesterday, we were discussing alignments. Tutumbukin 'yung airport... 'Yung airport isasama na 'yun sa project," he said. —KG, GMA News