Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the ongoing construction of the Japanese government-funded Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) as part of his two-day visit to the Philippines.
Prime Minister Kishida was accompanied by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, who showed him the launching shaft of the MMSP’s tunnel boring machine in the Valenzuela depot.
He also made a stop at the Philippine Railways Institute Interim Training Center to experience the train simulator, which is part of Japan’s technical assistance grant.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it has assured the official that big-ticket transport projects are “on track for completion.”
Currently, there are nine flagship transport infrastructure projects funded by Japan, including the underground rail system which the DOTr tags as the “Philippines’ transport project of the century.”
The construction for its 33-kilometer, 17-station subway from Valenzuela to Parañaque with a spur line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 is ongoing.
The project is seen to improve passenger mobility and intercity connectivity, as well as to general employment for Filipinos.
Once completed, travel time from Valenzuela to Pasay is expected to be reduced to 35 minutes from the current 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The Philippines is among the top beneficiaries of Japan’s Official Development Assistance through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. AG
