Maris Federez • February 22, 2019 • 3301

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade inspecting components of the tunnel-boring machines that will be used in the construction of the Metro Manila Subway | Courtesy: Department of Transportation Facebook page

The Department of Transportation is eyeing the groundbreaking of the Metro Manila Subway system on February 27, 2019.

The DOTr announced the groundbreaking date while Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and other transportation officials are currently in Japan to inspect equipment and finalize the details of the project.

The Department aims to have the first three stations of the Metro Manila Subway — Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and North Avenue — partially operational in 2022 and the remaining stations fully operational by 2025.

It will be connected to the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3 and 7 through a common station,

Overall, the multi-billion peso Subway System will have fifteen (15) stations from Quirino Highway to FTI and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

The Metro Manila Subway System project outlines a program toward 2030 for sustainable development for Central Luzon, Calabarzon and National Capital Regions that would require P2.61 trillion in investment.

The project groundbreaking was initially scheduled in December 2018 but was later moved to February due to the scheduling issues of parties involved, according to Tugade. – Robie de Guzman