The Japanese government’s development arm, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), asks today, October 3, 2022, the public and private organizations involve in the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) to collaborate closely to build a “High-quality and Japan-quality” underground train system, the first-ever of the Philippines
By EDD K. USMAN Twitter: @edd1819 Instagram: @bluestar0910 Facebook: SDN — Science, Digital & Current Affairs
(SDN) October 3, 2022 — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. broke the ground today for the ambitious Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the Philippines’ first-ever underground train system.
Amid an early morning rain, all roads led to the popular Metrowalk in Pasig City, Metro Manila, as government officials, private sector organizations, and guests joined the President, who was apparently fresh from his trip to Singapore, to witness the historic event.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and many others joined the President in the groundbreaking ceremony that started off with the lowering of the MMSP’s Time Capsule by the Chief Executive and other participants.
Described as the “crown jewel of the country’s mass transit infrastructure system after its completion,” the subway tunnel will run from Valenzuela City to Bicutan, Taguig City, a length of 33 kilometers. It will have 17 stations, said a press statement from the transportation department.
JICA Chief Representative to the Philippines Sakamoto Takeyama expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan through JICA over the MMSP.
“As you all know, the MMSP is a centerpiece of the Philippine Government’s ‘Infrastructure Flagship Projects’ and should be a shining example of the special partnership between Japan/JICA and the Philippines, in particular to build high quality infrastructure in the Philippines. JICA is very honored to be the trusted partner of your government and people in developing the first-ever metro subway line for this beautiful country,” said the JICA official.
Takeyama noted the significance of the groundbreaking ceremonies for what he dubbed the “Project of the Century”, saying the undertaking is surely moving at “full-speed ahead” and is aligned with the President’s marching orders in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, 2022.
“Needless to say, I believe the President, just as all other Filipino people, is very keen to see the completion of this project, as evidenced by the fact that he will grace us with his presence today,” the JICA official said.
The JICA chief representative to the country lauded the transportation department under Bautista’s leadership for their untiring dedication and unwavering commitment for the MMSP’s completion in an accelerated phase.
He said his interactions with members of the Marcos Cabinet gave him the impression that the government “hit the ground running” as early as the administration’s first days in office.
“And they are counting on Japan and JICA on the ‘fast and sure’ achievement of developing quality infrastructure in the previous years,” Takeyama pointed out.
“Such expeditious and restless efforts of the Philippine government in collaboration with the General Consultant, that is the Oriental Consultants Global, and JICA, are solely to attain our ultimate objective, which is to alleviate the perennial heavy traffic congestion being experienced by many Filipinos.”
He identified three benefits to the Filipino people upon the MMSP’s completion, saying it will:
- (1) help people move more comfortably and efficiently,
- (2) contribute to cleaner air and reduction of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, and,
- (3) make the Philippines more attractive for investors through relaxing the business obstacle, that is serious traffic congestion, which will in turn create more jobs and bring more people out of poverty. Of course, the subway will surely enable mass transportation and ease traffic congestion around this densely urbanized area of CP104 section, which are located in the middle of business and commercial area in the Metro Manila.
Takeyama’s reference to “CP104” means the “Contract Package 104” covering the planned Ortigas Avenue and Shaw Boulevard Stations and Channels which were the subject of today’s groundbreaking.
The JICA chief representative asked the public and private organizations engaged in the subway system project “to sincerely cooperate with each other to address” any major issues that may come up.
He specifically addressed his call for collaboration to the DOTr, Pasig City local government and other concerned government agencies, the General Consultant led by Oriental Consultants Global, the contractors (Joint Venture of Tokyu Construction, Tobishima Corporation, and Megawide Construction Corporation) and all other stakeholders in the MMSP.
Takeyama said this is for the completion of the subway project “and for the Filipino people to finally enjoy a subway system in ‘high-quality and Japan-quality.'”
He assured that “JICA, as the trusted and most reliable partner of the Philippines, is committed to making every possible effort with our Filipino friends, and to realizing JICA’s motto of ‘Safe, Reliable and Comfortable Mobility for a Better Tomorrow'”.
Takeyama further emphasized JICA’s mandate of being a facilitator of the transfer of Japanese technology and knowhow.
“With the said motto and mandate, we will continue to cooperate with the Philippines’ ‘Build Better More’ program in order to develop and upgrade critical infrastructure, such as this Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), MRT-3, and LRT Lines 1 and 2, just to name a few,” he added.
He hoped that everybody can all work in full cooperation befitting the Filipino’s “Bayanihan Spirit” for the MMSP’s success.
The MMSP statement said the groundbreaking signaled the closure of a part of Meralco Avenue in Pasig City, which is from Capitol Commons to Shaw Boulevard and the traffic in the area covered by the closure to remain off-limits to traffic from October 3 until year 2028.
Funding for the MMSP comes from JICA by virtue of Loan Agreement (PH-275 and PH-267) as the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA) approved on September 23, 2021, for a total approved cost of Php488,479,640,000.
Of the total approved cost, the loan extended by JICA amounts to Php370,770.04 million, and the Philippine government’s share at Php117,709.60 million.
Train capacity is pegged at 2,242 passengers and it will have 30 trains (each is 8-car trainsets).
Once fully completed, travel time from Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 will take only 35 minutes, said data from the MMSP. (✓)