Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 10) — The country’s first subway system will be complete and operational by 2029, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Monday.
“We are committed to complete this project. We may face certain delays that is usual in many subway projects especially in unplanned projects dahil nauna na ang mga bahay, mga institutions bago pa ang subway,” Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez said.
[Translation: We are committed to complete this project. We may face certain delays that is usual in many subway projects especially in unplanned projects because houses and other institutions were already built before the subway.]
In October 2022, the north and southbound portions of Meralco Avenue in Pasig City were closed to give way to the construction of a station.
The DOTr said excavation for the southbound tunnel has reached 200 meters since it began in January, while horizontal drilling for the northbound tunnel began on July 5. Authorities said the subway system would be able to withstand earthquakes and floods. We are incorporating in the Philippine subway this technology. So I believe this subway is intact for earthquake, no problem because (it is) based on Japanese standards,” said Akihiko Fujiyoshi, project director of OCGlobal-JV, the Japanese consortium which is building the project.
“Our Japan design team designed the subway similar to Japan. It is elevated, there’s even a simulation exercise where water cannot pass through from outside. Kasi meron siyang, remember yung entry natin maliit lang tapos meron siyang gate doon. Sarado yan. Airtight ang gate doon pag may tubig, kapag may baha. Hindi tayo babahain dahil elevated ang gate,” Chavez explained.
[Translation: Our Japan design team designed the subway similar to Japan. It is elevated, there’s even a simulation exercise where water cannot pass through from outside. Remember, the entry is small and it has a gate. That’s closed. The gate is airtight when there is water or flood. There won’t be any flooding because the gate is elevated.]The 33-kilometer Metro Manila subway system will have 17 stations from Valenzuela City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. It is expected to reduce travel time from Valenzuela to Bicutan to around 45 minutes, from the usual one hour and 25 minutes through EDSA.
The DOTr said the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project schedule.
“It could have been faster kung di tayo tinamaan ng pandemic. But of course yung speed ng paghukay ng tunnel boring machine natin, yun naman na yung standard speed. Kahit gusto pa nating bilisan, hanggang dun na lang siya,” said Transportation Assistant Secretary for Rails Jorjette Aquino.
[Translation: It could have been faster if we weren’t hit by the pandemic. But of course the speed of the tunnel boring machines, that’s the standard speed. That’s how it really is, even if we want to go faster.]Compared with other train lines in Metro Manila, the projected fare for the subway would be more expensive.
The DOTr said based on the 2017 proposal, the base fare on the subway would be at ₱22, with an additional ₱2 for every kilometer, while the end-to-end fare would be at ₱88. It said however that the rates are not yet final.
While more expensive, the agency assured the riding public that travel on the subway — estimated to accommodate half a million passengers daily — would be fast and convenient.
In January, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the subway project, once completed, would mean better days for commuters.
