MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to finish at least two stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) before President Marcos ends his term in 2028.
In an interview with ANC’s Headstart, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said his agency is making progress in the acquisition of right of way (ROW) since he assumed office in February.
In particular, Dizon said the DOTr is speeding up the pace of ROW procurement for the MMSP, one of the road infrastructure projects with the harshest delay.
Dizon said he is confident the DOTr can deliver at least two stations of the MMSP by 2028. Originally, the subway was supposed to be completed by 2029, but Dizon moved it to 2032 upon seeing delays in ROW acquisition.
He said Filipinos tend to view the MMSP as a project that would be impossible to build, so he wants to get some of the stations to build up confidence. He believes this is becoming more doable, as homeowners are cooperating with the DOTr on ROW procurement.
“If we are able to finish two stations before the end of the President’s term, I think that will really build a lot of confidence in our people this can actually get done,” Dizon said.
Prior to Dizon’s entry, the DOTr has found it challenging to acquire ROW in exclusive villages, particularly in Cubao, Katipunan, Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City.
In April, the DOTr received the needed permits to begin excavation in White Plains, Quezon City, one of the gated villages in the subway’s alignment.
“Slowly but surely, we are trying to solve those problems. Out of the five (areas of concern), we have actually solved three of them already just in the last three months,” Dizon said.
The MMSP is the first underground rail in the Philippines extending for 33 kilometers across six cities in Metro Manila. It is considered as one of the most important projects in public transport, as it will cut travel time between Valenzuela City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to just 35 minutes.
The MMSP, costing P488.5 billion, is funded by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Apart from the two subway stations, the DOTr is aiming to finish within Marcos’ term the Grand Unified Central Station, which will connect Metro Manila’s railways, and the Metro Rail Transit Line 7, being built by San Miguel Corp.
