Taguig shouldn't be blamed over cancelled Makati Subway System -mayor

Mayor Lani Cayetano on Tuesday stressed that the Taguig City government should not be blamed over the cancellation of the multi-billion-dollar Makati Subway System project.

In a video statement, Cayetano said the city government of Makati did not coordinate with them as regards the intra-city railway project.

''Gusto ko lang linawin—hindi kailanman nakipag-ugnayan sa amin ang Makati tungkol sa proyektong ito. Hindi bago magdesisyon ang Korte, at lalong hindi pagkatapos. Kaya ang pagsisi sa Taguig ay hindi lamang mali, kundi malayo sa katotohanan,'' Cayetano said.

(I want to clarify, the Makati LGU never coordinated with us regarding this project. It's wrong to blame Taguig for this.)

''Hindi Taguig ang sumira sa subway project—ang kawalan ng malinaw na plano at legal na batayan ang tunay na dahilan,'' she added.

(Taguig did not destroy this project but the lack of a clear plan and legal basis.)

Cayetano, meanwhile, said she is open to working with anyone and any group for any transportation program, which will aim to ease the plight of the commuters.

GMA News Online has reached out to Makati Mayor Abby Binay for comment but she said that she will issue a statement on Wednesday.

Binay earlier disclosed that the city government is currently in talks with a new domestic partner for its intra-city railway project. 

Binay made the remark after the news broke out that Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., its original partner for the multi-billion-dollar Makati Subway System, tossed the shovel on the project due to the Supreme Court ruling that transferred several areas of Makati City to Taguig City.

The $3.5-billion Makati Subway System project was originally planned to have 10 underground stations located at key destinations such as Ayala Triangle, Makati City Hall, and the University of Makati.

As early as September 2023, Infradev raised the alarm that the project could be derailed by the High Court’s ruling favoring Taguig. —VAL, GMA Integrated News