By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On the heels of an earlier event where he graced the official launch of the 50% train fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) this Wednesday, July 16, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inspection of the Camp Aguinaldo subway station in Quezon City.
President Marcos was accompanied by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon in his visit at the subway station that is part of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), where the Chief Executive checked on the ongoing construction works and the progress accomplished by the tunnel boring machine (TBM) as it weaves its way under the crowded streets of the metropolis.
Moreover, the President issued brief remarks echoing his optimism for the eventual completion of the country’s first underground railway network.
“Sana matapos natin ito hanggang Valenzuela. Baka matapos natin ito, 2028. Baka puwede nang i-inaugurate ng 2028,” President Marcos said.
“Basta tingnan natin. Lahat naman ay naga-agree na kailangang bilisan ng husto para mas maging maginhawa ang kanilang pag-commute (ng mga commuters),” he added.
The Chief Executive also took note of the project’s significant impact in reducing the travel time from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which would be reduced to 40 minutes from two-and-a-half hours once the MMSP is operational.
PBBM lauds Japan’s prowess in railway infrastructure
He also praised Japan, the country’s partner for the subway construction, for bringing their expertise, knowledge, and technological know-how in upgrading the country’s railway infrastructure, which also applies to the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2.
“The Japanese do that the best. I think in the whole world, [they are at the forefront] when it comes to heavy engineering and construction work such as this.,” the President emphasized.
Spanning a total route length of 33.103 kilometers (km), the MMSP features 17 stations, a depot and the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI). It is designed to provide seamless travel of approximately 45 minutes from East Valenzuela Station to Bicutan Station and is expected to accommodate up to 519,000 passengers daily.
Contract Package 103 (CP103) includes two (2) stations—Anonas Station and Camp Aguinaldo Station—and three (3) interstation tunnels connecting East Avenue Station to Anonas, Anonas to Camp Aguinaldo, and Camp Aguinaldo to Ortigas Avenue Station. The total route length covered by this package is approximately 6.35 km.
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