JICA keen on funding Metro Manila subway

MANILA, Philippines - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) remains interested in helping finance the construction of a subway system that would link the business centers of Makati, Pasay and Taguig.

JICA chief representative Susumu Ito said the agency is now conducting a feasibility study for the project and expects it to be completed within the year.

“For the Metro Manila Subway Project, we are now conducting a feasibility study that would be completed in the latter part of this year,” he said in a recent interview without disclosing the amount of financing being considered for the project.

The P375-billion proposed subway project would be composed of both underground and elevated railways that would link the Makati Central Business District, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay.

Three possible alignments for the proposed subway are being considered.

Among the proposed route for the 20-kilometer train system is Market-Market, St. Luke’s Medical Center, MRT-3 Buendia Station, Ayala/EDSA, Ayala Triangle, Makati Post Office, PNR Buendia, Buendia/Taft Ave., World Trade Center, Mall of Asia and EDSA/Taft Ave.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia earlier said three possible alignments for the proposed subway project is being considered before it can be endorsed to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board for approval.

The subway is considered a priority project for decongesting the flow of traffic in Metro Manila.

The project, first proposed under the Aquino administration, was shelved because of its massive cost and right-of-way issues in the Bonifacio Global City area where elevated stations may be situated.

In line with the Japanese government’s promise to scale up investments and provision of aid to the Philippines, Ito said JICA is intent on providing financing support for infrastructure and poverty reduction projects in the country.

Last year, JICA offered support for the institutionalization of urban infrastructure planning and formulation in Davao City in partnership with NEDA.

The Davao City Infrastructure Development Plan and Capacity Building Project involves the following activities: introduction of new urban infrastructure planning methodologies and best practices; development of technical know how on the formulation of planning manuals, guidelines, training materials and tools; and conduct of knowledge transfers on sector-specific development priorities and regional development needs to the urban infrastructure planning exercises.

Local infrastructure and urban planning experts would also be provided trainings in Japan.

In 2015, JICA signed with the government a $1.99-billion loan agreement for the North-South Commuter Railway Project, a 36.7-kilometer railway connecting Tutuban, in Manila and Malolos in Bulacan.