Marcos hails signing of Metro subway contracts

MANILA, Philippines — An end to commuter uncertainties as well as to “terrible” stories about parents unable to spend quality time with their children due to heavy traffic is now on the horizon with the eventual launch of the Metro Manila Subway Project, President Marcos said yesterday.

Marcos witnessed the signing of two contract packages for the building of the country’s first underground railway system. It will have a total length of 33 kilometers with 17 stations between Valenzuela City and the Food Terminal Inc.-Bicutan in Parañaque.

In his speech during the signing ceremony, Marcos said he is one with the Filipinos in anticipating the eventual realization of what he described as an “extremely important flagship project.” He added that the project would significantly cut travel time between Quezon City and Pasay from one hour and 30 minutes to only 35 minutes.

But more than just the reduced travel time, the President said the subway is also expected to significantly improve the quality of life in the city.

“The cut of course in travel time is also very important. But still, it is to reduce the uncertainty as to when we will get home. We will reduce the terrible stories that we hear of people who no longer see their children because they come home at 1:30 in the morning, and the children are asleep. They have to wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning to get back on the bus to fight with the traffic coming back to work,” he added.

The project, Marcos said, is also seen to benefit more than half a million passengers per day as it would ease the flow of people, goods and services around Metro Manila.

“The signing of these contract packages is a clear demonstration of this administration’s commitment to pursuing big infrastructure projects that will foster growth and revitalize the economy,” he added.

Signed during the ceremony were Contract Package 102 (CP102)-Quezon Avenue Station; and Contract Package 103 (CP103)-Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo Stations.

CP102, which involves the construction of two underground stations in Quezon Avenue and East Avenue as well as tunneling works, was awarded to Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd. and D.M. Consunji Inc. (Nishimatsu-DMCI Joint Venture). Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd. was awarded CP103, which involves the construction of the Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo underground stations and tunneling works.

Milestone

Embassy of Japan Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Matsuda Kenichi said the signing marks another milestone in Japan’s cooperation with the Philippines for infrastructure development under Marcos’ “Build, Better, More” program.

“As we take pride in spurring the Metro Manila Subway Project forward, Filipinos can assuredly rely on Japan to continuously extend our utmost support until this project is successfully completed,” Matsuda said.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the subway would not only decongest traffic but also offer more opportunities for growth and progress in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Marcos said the project is set to yield many fruits even before it becomes fully operational since the civil works for the contract packages would create thousands of jobs. The subway project is expected to generate more than 18,000 jobs during its construction, according to the transportation department.

Marcos thanked the Japanese government for partnering with the Philippines in pursuing the project and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for providing financial support for the implementation of the two contract packages.

He also expressed gratitude to the Nishimatsu-DMCI Joint Venture and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction for working closely with the government in ensuring the completion of the contract packages.

“The world recognizes Japan for having a very efficient rail transport system, which the Philippines aspires to one day emulate,” the President said.

Marcos said the Philippines is pursuing other key railway projects, such as the MRT-7, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, the Philippine National Railway Clark Phases 1 and 2.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build major roads and critical infrastructure that will not only spur progress and social change, but also promote interconnectivity, ease traffic, and reduce travel time. With you as our partners, I am confident that we can move full speed ahead towards building better and more infrastructure projects for the Filipino people,” he said.