DOTr inks right-of-way deals for Metro Manila Subway

MANILA, Philippines — The development of the country’s first subway system is picking up steam as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday inked right-of-way usage agreements with four major property owners and awarded a contract for the construction of two stations.

The DOTr inked right-of-way usage agreements with Megaworld Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Ortigas & Co. Ltd Partnership and Blemp Commercials of the Philippines Inc. to help speed up construction of the Japan-funded Metro Manila Subway project.

“These partners have agreed to the use of their properties for the subway at no cost to the government,” Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said.

Batan said Megaworld is providing  8,200-square-meter property for the permanent structures of Kalayaan and Lawton stations as well as an additional 14,400-square-meter land for temporary facilities during construction.

Robinsons Land will give a 1,700-square-meter property for the Tandang Sora station.

Ortigas & Co. is providing a 5,200-square-meter lot for the station along Shaw Boulevard. From Blemp Commercials, a 6,700-square-meter lot will be used for the Ortigas station.

“Filipino taxpayers will save approximately P7.5 billion for not having to purchase 21,800 square meters of land for permanent stations and structures and will further save P770 million per year for up to five years for not having to lease 26,900 square meters of land for temporary facilities during construction,” Batan said.

The DOTr also awarded Contract Package 104 of the Metro Manila Subway project to Megawide Construction Corp. and its joint venture partners from Japan, Tokyu Construction and Tobishima Corp.

The contract package includes construction of underground stations in Ortigas North and South as well as the tunnels connecting these two locations.

“Megawide and our partners Tokyu and Tobishima represent expertise, innovation and commitment in our respective fields and nations, which we believe will be critical to the success of this pioneering venture,” Megawide chairman and chief executive officer Edgar Saavedra said.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier announced that the partial opening of the subway is targeted by 2025.

Funded by the Japanese government, the P488-billion subway will stretch from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay.

It will reduce travel time between Quezon City and NAIA from one hour and 10 minutes to just 35 minutes.

Once operational, the Metro Manila subway can accommodate up to 370,000 passengers per day in its first year of operations.