Marcos vows to pursue 'more ambitious' projects for Filipinos

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to pursue more ambitious projects, especially in the infrastructure sector, for the Filipinos.

Marcos, who witnessed the signing of two contracts related to the Metro Manila Subway Project at Malacañang, said the government owes it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change, but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic, and reduce travel time.

"Let me assure you that the government remains dedicated to maximizing its resources to pursue even more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to Filipinos all over the country," Marcos said during his speech at the signing of two contracts for the civil works of four stations of the Metro Manila Subway-Contract Packages 102 (CP102) and 103 (CP103).

The CP102, with a total contract amount of approximately P21 billion, was awarded to the joint venture of Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd. and D.M. Consunji Inc.

Meanwhile, the CP103, with a total contract amount of approximately P28 billion, was awarded to Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd.

The CP102 involves the construction of the Quezon Avenue Station (located inside the former Manila Seedling Bank, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue) and the East Avenue Station (along V. Luna Avenue), including the connecting tunnels.

On the other hand, the CP103 includes the construction of Anonas Station (at Barangay Project 4, Quezon City) and Camp Aguinaldo Station (inside Camp Aguinaldo), including the connecting tunnels. The Anonas subway station will interconnect with the LRT2 Anonas Station.

Marcos expressed gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for providing the financial support for the implementation of Contract Packages 102 and 103. 

"And I thank you not only for this specific project. I thank the JICA who have been supporting the development of the Philippines for the last 50 years. And I do not believe especially in terms of infrastructure projects and even in agricultural projects that we would have this far without the help of JICA along the way," Marcos said.

"And it has been instrumental, it has been material, and we have many possible future projects that maybe in the pipeline. And for that, once again, we thank JICA for their assistance and their continuing interest in the Philippines," he added.

He also thanked the entire government of Japan for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing important infrastructure development project.

"The world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system, which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate. We thank you for your continued support and I hope to further advance our cooperation in other areas for the mutual benefit of our peoples," Marcos said.

Expected to be finished in 2028, the Metro Manila Subway can accommodate more than half a million commuters per day and it will lessen the travel time from Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to just 45 minutes.

The Quezon City government has committed to work closely with stakeholders in facilitating the processing of all needed documents for this project such as permits, as well as to provide all manpower resources needed.

"We are positive that when operational, the MMSP will improve the productivity of citizens by minimizing travel time. It will likewise enhance the mental health of people via a reliable and predictable mass transit system, which will give them more quality time for themselves and their families," Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said in her message.

Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez earlier said the subway project would be resilient to earthquakes and floods because it will have the same technology similar to Japan, which frequently experiences earthquakes.

Meanwhile, in a separate ceremony at the Palace, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos was installed as the Chief Girl Scout of the Philippines.

She pledged to help shape the mental, emotional, and social qualities of young women as she was formally conferred the "Chief Girl Scout" title.

"As you know, as First Lady, I have been designated as the Chief Girl Scout… It is a title that I will truly be proud of... not only because of its meaningful history but more so because it will allow me to help our young women cultivate the same values that I learned when I was a Girl Scout in high school," the First Lady said. —KBK, GMA News