DOTr pushing for Subway partial ops by 2028

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is doubling down on its efforts to meet President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s target to make the Metro Manila Subway Project partially operational by the end of his term in 2028.

“So the subway, the whole line, is 2032, that is our target. But we want to finish at least two to three stations by 2028 and that is starting from Valenzuela, Quirino and hopefully even North,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon told reporters at the sidelines of the Post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum in San Juan City on Wednesday.

Marcos had earlier expressed optimism that at least the first three stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project would be available to service the commuting public come 2028.

“We want to do the partial ops but we are discussing that with the Japanese,” Dizon said.

The Metro Manila Subway is envisioned to have a total of 17 stations and a 30.34-hectare depot where the Philippine Railway Institute is located.

The project involves the construction of a 33-kilometer railway line that will connect Valenzuela City to Pasay City, with a spur line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

The MMSP's 17 stations are: Valenzuela where the depot will be located, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue, Anonas, Katipunan (Camp Aguinaldo), Ortigas Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Kalayaan Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Lawton East, Senate-DepEd, NAIA Terminal 3, FTI, and Bicutan.

Earlier in the day, Dizon and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto inspected the Ortigas Station of the subway project, which the Transport chief said is the only remaining major right-of-way issue hounding the project.

"Ngayon nagsama-sama kami dito para maghanap ng solusyon [We joined together here to find a solution]. Hopefully, after a few weeks, we will finally start construction," said Dizon.

For his part, Sotto said the Pasig City government is also looking forward to the project’s eventual completion.

“Nakikita namin umaandar na lahat, at ‘yung mga natitirang problema naaayos na,” said Sotto.

(We see that everything is in motion and the remaining issues are being addressed.) — BM, GMA Integrated News