Metro Manila Subway Will Hit Building Designated as ‘Important Cultural Property’

The Metro Manila Subway is about “40 percent” done, but right of way issues are complicating the ambitious project. 

According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, several homeowners are opposed to the subway’s alignment. The project’s route will also hit a building owned by the Department of Education (DepEd).

While Bautista did not specify exactly which building is in the subway’s alignment, he did note that it is one that is of “important cultural property.” 

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“Aayusin muna natin ‘yan,” Bautista said about the right of way issue involving the Dep Ed building. “Isa sa major issues na hinaharap nating ngayon.”

The government has so far secured 55 percent of the right-of-way for the subway. 

“We are on top of these,” Bautista said. “We are expecting we should be able to resolve all these right-of-way issues in due time. But still, we’re expecting that we should be able to complete this project by 2029.”

Due to the slow progress in the acquisition of right of way, the government had to delay the award of Contract Packages (CP) 105, 108, 109 to the third quarter of 2024.

CP 1015 refers to the package that involves the underground stations in Kalayaan Avenue and Bonifacio Global City; CP 108 is for the Lawton and Senate-DepEd Stations; and CP 109 is for the NAIA Terminal 3 station.

“Kailangan siguraduhin muna natin ‘yung right-of-way makuha, magiging problema natin kasi when we enter into a contract with a contractor then may mga issues pa tayo sa right-of-way baka hindi makapagsimula on time baka magkaroon ng mga prolongation,” Bautista said.

So far, the DOTr has awarded four contract packages for the project: CP 101 for the first four stations mentioned above; CP 102 for Quezon Avenue and East Avenue; CP 103 for Anonas to Camp Aguinaldo; and CP 104 for Ortigas to Shaw Boulevard. 

DOTr says the project started lowering the tunnel boring machines at the subway’s North Avenue station in Quezon City on Thursday (March 7). 

The “overall progress rate” of 40 percent corresponds to the design, right-of-way procurement, and construction, according to Subway Project Manager Mikee Mendoza. 

However, progress of the construction itself—which includes the posts, tunneling works, and concourses for the stations of East Valenzuela, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue—is only at 11 percent.

Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Jeremy Regino noted that the agency will double down on the acquisition of easement with the filing of petitions for expropriation considered to be the “last resort.” 

“We have now shortened the negotiation process,” Regino said. “If there will be no agreement, we will have to file expropriation proceedings but without prejudice to continue with the negotiations.”

The Metro Manila Subway is the country’s first underground railway. It is envisioned to be a 33-kilometer railway system that will connect Valenzuela City to Pasay City with a spur line at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 in Parañaque City.

The whole system is expected to be finished by 2029.