Connect with us

Philippine News

Metro Manila subway extension to NAIA to ease passenger mobility

Published

on

MANILA— Passengers going to and from the airport would find it easier to move around the city once the proposed Metro Manila Subway system extension from Quezon City to the country’s main gateway the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is built soon.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said aside from ease of mobility, the expansion would also promote greater connectivity and improve passenger comfort and convenience.

Tugade made the statement following the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) approval of the extension of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)-Phase 1 from Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) in Taguig City to NAIA and its increased cost from PHP227 billion to PHP355.6 billion.

The subway, which will start in Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City, was previously going to end in FTI. However, Tugade, along with other economic managers, pushed to have a spur line extending the subway to NAIA to make it easier for airport passengers to get to their destination in Metro Manila.

“In most of our neighboring countries in Asia, you can reach the city without ever going to the platform. So, economic managers thought we’re going to build a subway anyway, so why not push it to extend up to NAIA? It just makes perfect sense. The extension will mean greater connectivity and improved passenger comfort and convenience,” Tugade said.

MMSP, the country’s first subway system from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the airport in Paranaque City is subject to final approval by the NEDA Board, which is headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The MMSP I also involves the construction of a 28-hectare training center and depot, as well as and other related facilities. Implementation period is from 2018 to mid-2025.
Groundbreaking for the railway project is expected by fourth quarter of 2018 with its completion on 2025.

However, Tugade has requested its partners from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to expedite the project for the public to avail of the benefits of a subway system in Metro Manila.

“We have consistently asked our Japanese partners to expedite the project. They are experts in tunneling technology and I’m sure they can deliver ahead of schedule. But of course, we can never compromise the quality and integrity of the project,” he said.

The subway system will have water stop panels, doors and high level entrance for floor prevention, earthquake detection, and a train stop similar to those in Tokyo.

In an earlier interview with the Philippine News Agency, Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez stated that the department is eyeing to operate five stations of the Mega Manila Subway System by the end of the Duterte administration in 2022.

The subway system is envisioned to be an underground mass transportation system connecting major business districts and government centers which is expected to serve 370,000 passengers daily in its opening year.

The country’s first subway system will cost USD7 billion and will be financed through Official Development Assistance. The loan will have an interest of 10 percent per annum payable in 40 years with a grace period of 12 years.

The agreement is expected to be signed in November when Pres. Duterte meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle1 month ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Why Eating Healthy Matters

We are what we eat, so don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake — we should take these words to...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Maria Goes To Lapu Lapu Day Block Party!

On April 27, 2024, the Filipino community of Vancouver had its first Pinoy multi-Block Party in the most diverse neighbourhood,...