(Translation: We are appealing to DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez to immediately start the construction of the long-delayed Metro Manila Subway, and we already sent a letter to them.)

Erstwhile governor of Ilocos Sur Luis “Chavit” Singson, who seemed to be growing impatient with the delay, voiced this appeal to the national government through Lopez, head of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The former politician, now one of the country’s top businessmen, Singson owns the Metrowalk Commercial Complex in Pasig City, located astride 5,000 square meters land parcel at the junction of Ortigas and Meralco Avenues in Ortigas Center Central Business District (CBD) in this urban jungle.

Singson is the president and chairman of the LCS Group of Companies, who owns Metrowalk, a popular multi-use metropolitan hub frequented by foreign and local visitors who love the ambience, the entertainment, the food, and everything else that has grown dear to the commercial complex’s habitues.

Ilocos Sur’s political kingpin, the former governor issued the appeal today, Monday, saying the national government should end the long wait for the subway project’s start of construction. Singson said he already issued what he called the “Permit-to-Enter (PTE) on September 30, 2022.

“They should start digging now,” he emphasized in a statement provided to members of the news media, adding he has been waiting for the DOTr for three years to act on the proposed subway project.

He lamented though that since the PTE’s submission to the DOTr nothing has moved yet. The Metrowalk owner sees the Php17.75-billion underground rail highway a “game-changer” for Filipinos’ mobility in the metropolis.

“Now is the time to act,” Singson said.

He made the appeal after the Megawide Construction Corporation (MCC), along with its joint venture partners Tokyu Construction and Tobishima Corporation, both of Japan, won the bidding for the Php17.75-billion subway undertaking.

He reiterated that the project should already start immediately. As a result of the long delay, the project’s completion has been moved to 2032, a difference of five years delay. Once completed, the subway is expected to change the travel in Metro Manila for the better.

“Ang proyekto ay magiging isang malaking pagbabago para sa mass public transportation ng metro,” Edgar Saavedra, Chairman and CEO of Megawide, said, stressing the capability of the consortium.

(Translation: The subway undertaking is projected to transform mass transportation in the metropolitan enclave.)

“Ang Megawide at ang aming mga partner na Tokyu at Tobishima ay bihasa, moderno at pinagkakatiwalaan sa aming mga larangan at sa bansa, na pinaniniwalaan naming magiging kritikal sa tagumpay ng pioneering na gawaing ito,” Saavedra said.

(Translation: Megawide and our partners Tokyu Construction and Tobishima Construction are experts, modern, and trusted in our industry and in the country, and we believe will become a critical success in this pioneering undertaking.)

It has been noted that traffic congestion is among the worst across the world where commuters lose 127 hours yearly because of the notorious rush-hour gridlock, that is the need for subway is urgent.

Like in other countries, the subway guarantees faster travel time, for instance, in the Philippines between Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) a slice from more than an hour to only 35 minutes. It offers faster, better alternative which may open billions worth for the economy and may benefit millions of citizens.

Meanwhile, in a related news report via Manila Standard on July 25, 2024, Singson was quoted as saying he was planning to redevelop the MCC lot and transform it into a “new city withinb a city.”

The news report said the former politician said LCS Group had already entered into a negotiation with Korean investors to commence the project last year yet.

Inclusive of the plan is a state-of-the-art office and commercial buildings, hotels and a hub for Korean lifestyle.

An LCS Group entity, the BLEMP Commercial Philippines, Inc. owns the MCC, and he was only waiting for the government to start the project.

Singson said the project would include a station for the Metro Manila Subway, whose construction is presently ongoing.

On September 3, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced in one of his social media accounts that witnessed the start of the demolition works in the Metrowalk complex.

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