Metro Manila Subway Project and Its Benefits

In the final days of the Duterte administration, the Metro Manila Subway project's long-awaited tunneling activities have finally begun after the first Tunnel Boring Machine was lowered and positioned at the subway depot in Valenzuela City.

As a matter of fact, Secretary of Transportation Tugade told reporters that the lowering is "evidence that the project is now becoming reality" in a statement emailed to the media.

The Metro Manila Subway Project

The Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) aims to build a 36-kilometer subway in Metro Manila, Philippines. For the first time in the country, there will be an extensive network of public transit underground railway system.

According to the subway's blueprint, North Caloocan in Bulacan will be connected to Dasmariñas in Cavite through the National Capital Region by this new subway system. It is also expected to carry 370, 000 people per day in its first year of operation while having a planned capacity of 1.5 million passengers per day.

The National Economic Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee or NEDA-ICC authorized the project after it was suggested by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In February 2019, a groundbreaking ceremony was place in Valenzuela City for the Manila subway project.

Subway routes

There will be 15 stations in total for this project, which will be executed in two stages. The first phase will include the area between Valenzuela and Parañaque in the North Capital Region, while the second phase will include the areas to the north and south.

The Katipunan route was chosen from a list of three options. Quirino Highway in Quezon City will be connected to Pasay City NAIA Terminal 3 and Taguig's FTI with this new rail linkage. The first three stations to open under phase one are the Quirino Highway-Mindanao Avenue Station, Tandang Sora Station, and North Avenue Station.

The Metro Manila Subway will have a maximum operating speed of 80 kilometers per hour (km/h). The subway system will cover seven (7) municipalities and three (3) commercial areas in 30 minutes. It will also span across Valenzuela (subway's depot), Quezon, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, and a small portion of Parañaque City.

On top of that, in order to improve accessibility, the Manila subway will be linked to the PNR Clark, PNR Calamba, and the Common Station rail systems. An extension to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is also included in the plan, which would make travel easier for travelers.

Construction and infrastructure

Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP) have been given to the project, which has been anticipated to benefit from Japanese railway technology and equipment. The building of the subway will use Japanese tunnel boring machines with a diameter of 6.9m and a weight of more than 600t.

The construction of Metro Manila's underground stations will mostly be accomplished by the cut-and-cover technique, with less emphasis being placed on this technique for the tunneling that connects stations.

In addition to this, an intermodal facility will be provided at each subway station to allow transfers between the subway and other modes of transportation, such as public transportation. This structure was chosen above others for the subway because of its lower cost, shorter construction time, wider platforms, and greater ability to ventilate the trains throughout the trip.

The Metro Manila Subway will also include disaster-resilient measures to deal with the recurring occurrence of typhoons and earthquakes. Other than that, water stop panels, doors, and a high-level entry for flood protection and seismic detection as well as a railway stop system will be built.

Subway project financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency

Funding for the project will be provided by a PhP355.6 billion loan from JICA under its Official Development Assistance (ODA). Payment is due in 40 years with a grace period of 12 years, and interest is calculated at 0.10 percent annually.

An ODA loan of up to 104.53 billion Yen or $940 million was agreed upon between JICA and the Philippine government in March 2018 to help fund the Phase One of the Metro Manila Subway Project.

Who are the contractors for the Metro Manila Subway Project?

There is an agreement in place between the joint venture of the Department for Transportation (DOTr) and the Shimizu Corporation, Fujita Corporation, EEI Corporation, and Takenaka Civil Engineering Division.

The joint venture is accountable for the overall design and construction of three underground stations, tunnels, and the Valenzuela Depot, as well as the Philippine Railway Institute's infrastructure.

What are the benefits of having a subway system in PH?

Since the Metro Manila Subway System will be the first tunnel boring machine and first-ever underground railway system in the country, you might be wondering about the advantages and benefits it can bring to our economy and public transportation.

Well, on top of everything else, it is important to know that a country's social mobility and economic prosperity are dependent on effective public transit systems more than ever. The government's Build, Build, Build initiative is making a significant investment in infrastructure, and improved transportation systems such as the Mega Manila Subway have bigger benefits on the Philippine economy and urbanity.

Because the subway is projected to make commuting more convenient and less stressful, it will save commuters a lot of time and reduce their stress levels.

But the benefits of a subway system go beyond lowering traffic congestion and cutting travel times in the urban area. Having an efficient subway system in the country is also crucial to the economic and social well-being of the people. As it happens, having the Mega Manila subway system can help to increase the property value!

In order for you to ride on the benefits of this great development, you can boost the value of your home by having it close to public transit. Estates near mass transportation attract more inhabitants, tourists, companies, shops, and other jobs, all of which contribute to a better quality of life for the town as a whole. Residential houses situated in these desirable areas regularly command higher prices.

More than that, you can even have your property rented out and earn some great passive income from it.

If you're looking for a house and lot or community that has proximity to this upcoming project but is not located in the metro, Lumina Homes has great communities in the Province of Bulacan that are only an hour travel time from the Mega Manila Subway, namely:

• Lumina Pandi – Brgy. Pinagkuartelan, Pandi, Bulacan (Around 51 mins travel time)
• Lumina Plaridel – Brgy. Culianin, Plaridel, Bulacan (Around 42 mins travel time)
• Lumina San Miguel – Brgy. Buliran, San Miguel, Bulacan (Around 1 hr and 32 mins travel time)
• Lumina Baliuag – Brgy. Pagala, Baliwag, Bulacan (Around 55 mins travel time)
• Lumina Bulacan Residences– Brgy. Bugurion Calumpit, Bulacan (Around 50 mins travel time)

Grab the chance of great investment and passive income by getting one of the home model units from these Lumina Homes communities and witness as your property value grows in the span of a few years!

Hurry, visit us in our Lumina Homes Bulacan sites to schedule a site tripping, or go to our official website now to make your home reservations and avail our promo of FREE Water Application Fee, FREE Electric Application Fee, FREE HOA Membership Fee, FREE Loan Processing, FREE Title Processing, Longer Downpayment Term, and Lower Monthly Downpayment.

Start your home investment now with Lumina Homes!