Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon announced that three out of five major right-of-way (ROW) issues for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) have been resolved, signaling notable progress for the country’s largest infrastructure undertaking.
Speaking at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines Infrastructure Forum in Makati, Dizon expressed optimism that at least two to three subway stations—particularly from Valenzuela to Quirino Highway—will be operational before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ends his term.
“I’m confident we’ll see trains running soon,” Dizon said, adding hopes of reaching North Avenue station during the early phase.
The resolved ROW issues include Barilla, Anonas, and Ortigas. Only Metrowalk and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) remain pending, with BGC close to being cleared, according to Dizon.
The Transportation Secretary also cited the recent passage of the amended Right-of-Way Act, now awaiting the President’s signature. This revised law will allow government access to private land just 18 meters underground—an improvement from the previous 50 meters limit—paving the way for faster underground infrastructure development.
Once completed, the 33-kilometer MMSP will feature 17 stations connecting Valenzuela City to Pasay City, with a spur to NAIA Terminal 3. The line will interconnect with LRT1, LRT2, MRT3, MRT7, and the North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCR-Ex).
Estimated to cost ₱488.5 billion, the project is largely funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through three tranches of loan agreements totaling over ¥507 billion. The full completion timeline has now been moved to 2032.