Metro Manila Subway finished by 2028 or 2029, DOTr exec says

The Metro Manila Subway project — the country’s first underground railway system — will be completed by 2028 or 2029, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said Monday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Chavez noted that the average completion time for subway system projects in other countries is around six to seven years.

“Ang isa sa mga contractor natin ay siya ring gumawa ng subway sa Tokyo, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore. Naga-average po ng six to seven years ang construction at ganun din sa Pilipinas. So sa siyentipikong pag-aaral, tapos na ito by 2028 to 2029,” he said.

(One of our contractors was involved in subway projects in Tokyo, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore. Construction averages from six to seven years and it would be the same in the Philippines. Based on scientific study, it would be done by 2028 to 2029.)

The subway railway project covers 33 kilometers with 17 stations from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

According to Chavez, the construction already started in East Valenzuela station and depot as well as in the North Avenue station.

The contract signing for Packages 2 and 3 including the stations in Ortigas, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue, Anonas, and Katipunan will be held next month, he said.

Chavez said the railway system will be substantially operational from East Valenzuela and Shaw Boulevard stations by 2028.

The DOTr official also reiterated that the Metro Manila Subway project will be resilient to earthquakes and floods because it will have the same technology as Japan, which frequently experiences earthquakes.

“Alam niyo naman ang sitwasyon, maya't maya lumilindol sa Japan. Wala tayong problema doon. The same technology, system, and procedure ang gagamitin dito sa pagbubuo ng Metro Manila Subway project,” he said.

(Everyone is aware that Japan experiences earthquakes frequently. So we'll not have a problem about that. The same technology, system, and procedure will be used in constructing the Metro Manila Subway project.)  —KBK, GMA News