Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Nihei Daisuke on Monday joined Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista at the groundbreaking ceremony for Contract Package 103 of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
During the ceremony, Minister Nihei said, “In the near future, Filipinos will be able to enjoy a comfortable and convenient subway system equipped with cutting-edge Japanese technology.” He also emphasized that that the Japanese government, together with JICA and Japanese contractors, will continue to provide unwavering support until the Philippines’s first subway dream comes true.
Bautista, for his part, said the ceremony inside the military camp signified the “multi sectoral” support for the subway’s completion. CP 103 provides for the construction of the MMSP’s Camp Aguinaldo and Anonas Stations.
“Today is another critical step towards that aspiration towards the convenience and comfort of Filipino commuters towards a transport infrastructure that catalyzes economic rebound. The socioeconomic benefits of the MMSP even exceeds our expectation,” he said.
Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. will undertake the project, which costs over P21.13 billion. It also involves the construction of an underground segment that will connect the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2’s Anonas Station to the MMSP’s Camp Aguinaldo Station.
Bautista likewise expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government for supporting the country’s first-ever underground railway.
“We would like to express once again our gratitude to the government of Japan, through His Excellency Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa, for their unwavering support to this country’s first underground railway system,” said Bautista.
Metro Manila Subway will cut across eight cities that will stretch from Valenzuela City to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City with a spur line to Naia Terminal 3 in Pasay City. Spanning 33 kilometers with 17 stations, the subway system will cut travel time between Quezon City and Pasay City to 35 minutes from the current 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Contract Package 103 of the MMSP, signed on November 3 between Department of Transportation and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., will construct two underground stations—Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo—as well as the tunnels connecting them.