MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) broke ground yesterday for the construction of the Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo stations of the Metro Manila subway project.
“The DOTr is on track in delivering one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of the government,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
Bautista said construction works for the Camp Aguinaldo and Anonas stations are set to be completed by the third quarter of this year.
“Today is another step in realizing our dream toward a transport infrastructure that catalyzes economic rebound,” he said. “The socioeconomic benefits of the Metro Manila Subway exceed our expectations.”
The groundbreaking signals the start of construction work for the subway’s contract package 103 for the Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo stations as well as tunnels that will connect Quezon City and Pasig.
The project will use the tunnel boring machines from Japan and the Austrian tunneling method, according to the DOTr.
Once operational, the railway system can service up to 519,000 passengers daily.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Andres Centino, Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd. project director Hitoshi Yamaji, Japan International Cooperation Agency chief representative Sakamoto Takema and other officials from the Japanese embassy in Manila attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
The subway project, the first underground mass rapid transit line in the Philippines, has a projected length of 36 kilometers, traversing six cities in Metro Manila with 15 stations, which will help improve commuter mobility and boost intercity connectivity.
Centino expressed the military’s support for the project, which aims to contribute to the national government’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion.