While the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is expected to provide comfort and convenience to commuters, the Philippines’ “Crown Jewel” of mass transit system will also generate employment for Filipinos, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Monday, 03 October 2022.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for the Metro Manila Subway Project’s Contract Package 104, Secretary Bautista said the project will provide over 18,000 jobs for Filipinos during its construction phase.
“Construction is estimated to create more than 18,000 jobs,” Secretary Bautista said.
According to Secretary Bautista, the Metro Manila Subway, will provide a comfortable, convenient, safe, and affordable transportation to commuters once completed.
Secretary Bautista stressed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is committed to complete the project at full speed as the agency “owes it to the commuting public.”
President Bongbong Marcos said the Metro Manila Subway is expected to stir up economic activity in key areas covered by the project and ensure opportunities for businesses.
“With the improved linkages of key areas and business districts in the Metro as well as the availability of stalls and other stores in the stations, and nearby markets, we can see more business opportunities to entrepeneurs, investors and additional economic activity,” President Marcos, who led the ground breaking ceremony, said.
The President added that the project is likewise expected to increase Filipinos’ efficiency with less travel time expected during their commute with the help of the underground rail line.
“As our people gain more time by cutting long hours of travel, we can now engage in more worth while and productive endeavors, making time for greater self improvement and equally important– spending quality time with their families,” he said.
The MMSP’s Contract Package 104 (CP104) is part of the seven civil work contracts of the project, and covers the construction of the Ortigas and Shaw Blvd. Stations and tunnels with a total route length of 3.397 kilometers.
With a total of 33-kilometer route length and 17 stations, the Metro Manila Subway will cut across eight local government units that will stretch from Valenzuela City to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City with a spur line to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
Funded by the Japanese government, the Metro Manila Subway will be the first underground mass transit system in the Philippines – a modern railway system that will be at par with the rest in the world.
The rail line aims to cut travel time between Quezon City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from the present one hour and 10 minutes to just 35 minutes. Once operational, the underground railway system can service up to 519,000 passengers daily.
