Transportation officials break ground for Camp Aguinaldo subway station

Transportation officials on Monday broke ground for the Camp Aguinaldo underground station and tunnels of the Metro Manila Subway project (MMSP).

The groundbreaking activities involved Contract Package 103 of the MMSP, involving the Camp Aguinaldo and Anonas stations and tunnels, supported by the Japanese government through the Japan international Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“Today is another critical step towards that aspiration towards the convenience and comfort of Filipino commuters towards a transport infrastructure that catalyzes economic rebound,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

“The socio-economic benefits of the MMSP even exceeds our expectations,” he added.

The Philippines inked two loans with Japan for the project — ¥104.53 billion or P47.58 billion in March 2018, and another ¥253.31 billion or P112.87 billion in February 2022.

“In the near future, Filipinos will be able to enjoy a comfortable and convenient subway system equipped with cutting-edge Japanese technology,” Japanese Minister Nihei Daisuke said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The first phase of the MMSP was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2017, and was originally expected to be completed in 2025. Tunnel works started this January.

The planned subway will cut across eight cities from Valenzuela to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City, with a spur line connection to the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.

The subway is planned to have a total length of 33 kilometers with 17 stations, cutting down travel time between Quezon City and NAIA to 45 minutes and catering up to 519,000 passengers daily.—AOL, GMA Integrated News