It's Final! DOTr Set to Construct Mega Manila Subway Starting December This Year

"Before, sir, it's 'talk, talk, talk' and 'plan, plan, plan.' Now, it's 'build, build, build.'"

This was according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, who was once quoted in the agency's Facebook page about the Mega Manila Subway.

So yes, it's no longer wishful thinking--this "colossal infrastructure" is set to begin in December this year.

Tugade said that Japan and the Philippines have signed the first tranche of a JPY 104.530 billion (or nearly PHP 50 billion) loan for Metro Manila's first subway last March.

"We are still on track. We are starting the ground-breaking and formal construction by the end of this year, not later than December, na kung saan uumpisahan natin ‘yung construction doon sa partial operability sa tatlong istasyon (where we will begin construction for the partial operability of three stations)," Tugade said in a Malacañang press conference.

He also added that the government was able to move the schedule of construction by as much as six months.

"Napabilis po natin ang proseso na kung saan nag-agree-agree ang mga partidos upang mapaaga ‘yung pag-start ng proyekto (We were able to fast track the process where all parties agreed so that we could start the project ahead of time)," he added.

Initially, the government plans to make three stations for the Mega Manila Subway: Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue. Their goal is to make them operational before President Duterte's term ends in 2022.

Once the entire infrastructure is completed, there would be 14 stations that would stretch from Mindanao Ave. (in Quezon City) to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (in Parañaque City). It's expected to reduce commuting time from Quezon City to the airport in less than 40 minutes.

The Mega Manila Subway, which is part of President Duterte's ambitious Build, Build, Build Plan, is expected to be partially operational by 2020 and fully operational by 2025.