DOTr to launch Metro Manila subway on February 27

The Metro Manila Subway project is poised to be launched by late February, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). “February 27 is the date of the groundbreaking of Metro Manila Subway”, stated by DOTr Assistant Secretary Goddess Hope Libiran last friday. 

The plans for the subterranean railway system will traverse from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City, to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City. The goal of the project is to ease traffic congestion and to create a better infrastructure for the public. 

Secretary Arthur Tugade recounts the events prior to the groundbreaking. The project was initially slated to begin December 2018, but was later moved to January 2019. Scheduling issues have been hampering the progress of the project, with other parties involved. 

The Metro Manila Subway is to have partial operations in three stations located in, North Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, and Tandang Sora. These three stations will likely be operational by 2022, and by 2025 the system will open the rest of its stations. 

In March of last year, the Philippine and Japanese governments signed a loan agreement for the Metro Manila Subway project. The initial tranche amounted to Php 51.37 billion. 

The 25 kilometer underground railway will have a total of 14 stations from Mindanao Avenue to NAIA. 

The total estimated cost of the project is at Php 356.96 billion. 

Future plans will include more stations in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and Dasmariñas, Cavite. 

Traffic in the first three stations will build up as the project progresses. The most recent is the closure of the Tandang Sora bridge starting February 23, 2019. North Avenue’s road has been narrowed since construction of MRT-7 has started. Expect these areas to get more congested as construction progresses. 

Things will look up in the coming years for Philippine commuters. Hopefully by 2022, traffic in the Metro will be more bearable.