Marcos kicks off Metro Manila Subway construction
The construction of the P488 billion Metro Manila Subway has officially kicked off, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday (October 3) led the groundbreaking ceremony for two stations, which will see road closures in Pasig City.
According to ABS-CBN News, the 33-kilometer subway is expected to cut travel time from Valenzuela to Bicutan to 35 minutes, and can ferry at least 519,000 passengers daily.
In addition, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that the construction of the Philippines’ first underground railway and a 30.37-hectare train depot in Valenzuela is expected to generate 18,000 jobs in the next six years.
"We fervently hope to soon enjoy the benefits that it brings to the general public… We anticipate helping our people spare themselves from long lines of traffic," said Marcos in his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony.
"They can now engage in more time with more productive endeavors," said Marcos, who added that the Metro Manila subway will also be connected to other railways in the country, including the MRT, LRT and PNR.
Acknowledging the disruptions that the subway project will cause, Marcos urged the public to be "optimistic" that the temporary inconveniences would reap more benefits in the future.
"Let this signal our intention to the world that the Philippines is ready to pursue even grander dreams… that will bring more progress and comfort all throughout the country," he said.
In June, former President Rodrigo Duterte led the unveiling of the lowering of a tunnel drilling machine to start the construction of the country’s first-ever subway in Metro Manila.
The lowering of the drilling machine was witnessed by Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa in Valenzuela City.
The Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) was made possible with a $2.66 billion loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
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