Metro Manila Subway Project Hits 40 Percent Completion Mark

The traffic situation in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila, is notoriously challenging and has long been a source of frustration for both residents and visitors alike. A study by the Dutch multinational firm TomTom confirmed that in 2023, Metro Manila experienced the worst traffic congestion worldwide among major cities.

Given this predicament, updates on the progress of the Metro Manila Subway—the country's first-ever underground mass transport system—reaching 40% completion by January 2024, come as particularly uplifting news.

These updates were shared during a recent inspection visit by officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) led by Sec. Jaime Bautista, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, and Takema Sakamoto, the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Philippines.

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With the backing of two active loan agreements, the Metro Manila Subway is set to secure an additional ¥150 billion loan by March 2024.

This ambitious project involves constructing a depot, a 33-kilometer railway with 17 stations connecting Valenzuela City to Pasay City, and a spur line to Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City.

Officials project that the subway will significantly reduce the travel time from Valenzuela to NAIA from 1 hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes, and serve approximately 519,000 passengers on a daily basis.

Upon completion, the subway is set to operate at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour, potentially reaching up to 120 kilometers per hour. The DOTr anticipates short wait times at stations, aiming for a maximum of five minutes. This translates to a projected travel time of roughly 45 minutes between Valenzuela City and Bicutan.

The subway will be equipped with a fleet of 80 eight-car train sets built in Japan, with each set having a capacity of up to 2,242 passengers.

The initial target for partial operation was set for 2021. However, revised timelines in October 2022 delayed the partial opening to 2025, with full completion expected by 2028. At a recent briefing, supported by the DOF and JICA, Bautista announced the subway's completion is now aimed for 2029.