MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has launched the third tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), a significant step in accelerating the construction of the country’s first underground railway system. The launch, which took place at the Camp Aguinaldo Station in Quezon City, is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to fast-track major infrastructure projects.
The new TBM is expected to drill at a rate of nine meters per day and is projected to reach the Anonas Station in approximately six months. This is the third of eight TBMs that will be used for the entire subway line. Two other TBMs have already excavated over 1,000 meters of the tunnel from Camp Aguinaldo to Ortigas Station.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez stated that the deployment of additional TBMs will significantly reduce the project’s construction time. He emphasized that mass transit is key to resolving the daily struggles of commuters in the metro.
The 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway will feature 17 stations, connecting Valenzuela City to Bicutan in Taguig City, with a spur line to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. The project aims to reduce travel time and alleviate traffic congestion in the capital region.
Once fully operational in 2032, the subway is expected to serve over 519,000 passengers daily. The project has faced some delays, primarily due to right-of-way issues, but the DOTr is actively working to resolve these challenges.
The Metro Manila Subway Project is a joint venture with Japanese contractors, utilizing Japan’s expertise in railway construction and technology to ensure the subway’s resilience against earthquakes and flooding.
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