Underground work for the Philippines’ Metro Manila Subway project has commenced as the tunnel boring machines (TBM) have been lowered at the Valenzuela depot. The project will employ about 25 TBMs.
The 33 km entirely underground metro system will comprise 17 stations between Valenzuela City and Pasay City and is expected to be operational by 2027. During the first year of service, the line is expected to record daily passenger footfall of around 370,000.
The Metro Manila Subway is expected to reduce travel time between Quezon City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport from 70 minutes to just 35 minutes.
The project will be funded in part by a PHP370.8 billion credit package from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Government of Philippines will cover the remaining 24 per cent of the project cost amounting to PHP117.7 billion.