Philippines' 1st Metro Subway Trains Eyed by 2022!

Four years from now and the Philippines’ 1st subway would be operational! This is definitely good news for the country in terms of infrastructure development by 2022!

Metro Manila Subway Train:  Artist's impression of the proposed subway project traversing Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Cavite in the Philippines. (Photo from Wikipedia)

The first 3 stations would comprise the initial phase in 2022 while a target completion for the entire central zone is at 2025. This includes the commercial space that will help defray the cost of operating this facility as mentioned by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III

“In line with the ‘fast and sure’ approach, the Philippine government processed the loan approvals for this project within six months only, from the National Economic and Development Authority Board approval on Sept. 12, 2017, up to the signing of the loan agreement today. We are targeting May 2022 to begin operation of the first three of the subway stations—Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue,” Dominguez adds 

This is part of his speech after the signing ceremony of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s 104.5-billion yen (about P51 billion) first tranche of official development assistance for the P356.9-billion Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1.

The 30-kilometer underground railroad will run between Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport across 14 stations, with the possible extension of one to two more stations being planned by the Department of Transportation, according to Dominguez.

Moreover, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan assured that there would be minimal right-of-way issue as the project are mostly subterranean.

“The plan for the subway line envisions a north zone that will extend to Bulacan and a south zone that will extend to Cavite. I am confident that the succeeding administrations will get this done,” Dominguez shared.

The detailed engineering design for the subway, which is being funded under a Jica grant, is currently ongoing. The design includes flood management features and applies the best seismic technology available.

“The project includes a depot in Valenzuela, electro-mechanical systems and rolling stock, and the establishment of a Philippine Railway Institute. The institute will provide training as well as do research and development on regulation, train operations and maintenance. This will build a corps of expert train personnel to manage not only the subway system but all the commuter rail lines of the country.” Dominguez said in a quote by Inquirere.net.

This is indeed good news for the country and may the developments continue and be on time!