THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Sunday that the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is now about 60 percent complete, as the agency targets a demonstration run of its key section before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term in 2028.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that the construction progress stands at 32 percent, while the project's overall completion is about 60 percent.
The government aims to conduct a demonstration run on the Valenzuela City-to-Quirino Avenue segment by 2028 to show the public that the country's first underground railway is nearing operation, the DOTr said.
"We want the public to see that trains will already be running and that the subway is no longer just a plan on paper," Lopez added. He clarified that the demonstration run differs from full commercial or revenue operations, as it is only intended to test and showcase the system before passenger service begins.
According to the top DOTr official, the tunnel excavation for both northbound and southbound tracks between Valenzuela and Quirino Avenue has been completed.
Moreover, Lopez said the tunnel works between North Avenue and Tandang Sora in Quezon City have also reached 100-percent completion.
The progress reflects the administration's effort to accelerate major infrastructure projects. Once fully operational, the Metro Manila Subway is expected to reduce travel time across the capital significantly, he said.
The DOTr said a trip from Valenzuela to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City, which currently takes about two hours under light traffic, is expected to take only 35 to 40 minutes using the subway.
“The shorter travel time would not only make commuting more convenient but also help passengers save on transportation costs,” Lopez said.
