Metro Manila Subway Latest Construction Update

The latest update on the Construction of Metro Manila Subway started at Ugong, Valenzuela The line will have an underground depot in Ugong, Valenzuela, within the vicinity of the East Valenzuela station. It occupies 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of space and serves as the headquarters for the operations and maintenance of the line. The trains are parked on several sets of tracks, which converge onto the spur route and later on to the main network.  The Project Total Cost is Php 356.96 billion pesos. 

Construction for the Ortigas and Shaw stations began on October 3, 2022, with the groundbreaking ceremony led by President Bongbong Marcos and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. Work on the Katipunan and Anonas stations began on February 13, 2023.

As of 31 January 2023, Phase 1 of the project is 37.48% complete.

The Metro Manila Subway Project includes the construction of the 34-km railway line, Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase I / Line 9, ROW Acquisition and Resettlement, Utilities Relocation, Administration and Engineering expenses, Employment of General Consultant, Procurement of Rolling Stock and E&M, and other activities that may be necessary for the completion of the Project. he 36-kilometer (22 mi) line, which will run north–south between Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Parañaque and Pasay, consists of 15 stations between the East Valenzuela and Bicutan stations. 

The Metro Manila Subway will reduce travel time from Quezon City to Taguig from 1 hour and 50 minutes to 35 minutes. Involves the construction of a 34-km subway with 17 stations (Valenzuela to NAIA Terminal 3 and FTI) that will connect the north and south portions of Manila. 

photo credit:DOTr

The MMS  will become the country's second direct airport rail link after the North–South Commuter Railway, with a branch line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Dubbed as the "Project of the Century" in the country, the subway line's groundbreaking took place on February 27, 2019, and construction began the following December. Construction however suffered delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.It is scheduled to be partially opened in 2025, and will be fully operational by 2028. The project is expected to cost ₱355.6 billion (equivalent to US$7.06 billion in 2017 dollars). Much of its cost is covered by a loan provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Photo credit: Mike de Juan

A 20,000-square-meter (220,000 sq ft) building will host the Philippine Railways Institute which will also be built within the depot vicinity. In addition, a 900-meter (3,000 ft) test track and mock-ups of the tunnels, stations, and wayside equipment will be constructed for training purposes.