The Chief Executive is joined by Senators Grace Poe, Mark Villar, and JV Ejercito, along with Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Japan Ambassador H.E. Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto, Megawide Construction Corp. Chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, among others, in simple groundbreaking and sake barrel breaking ceremonies.
“As our people gain more time by cutting long hours of travel, they can now engage in more worthwhile and productive endeavors, making time for greater self-improvement or equally important spending quality time with their families,” he further said.
Pres. Marcos said the construction of the MMSP would cause inconvenience, however, this is a small price to pay for the fruitful results the project will give the Philippine economy and the commuting public.
“Let us be optimistic and just count these small inconveniences as a small price to pay for the fruitful results that this program, this project will yield,” the Chief Executive said, as he sought for the understanding of affected commuters and motorists over the disruption amid the closure of a portion of a major road to give way to the ongoing construction.
The event will signal the closure of a portion of Meralco Avenue in Pasig City—from Capitol Commons to Shaw Boulevard—where traffic will be rerouted starting today, Oct. 3, 2022 until year 2028 to give way for the construction.
“Let the breaking ground of this subway system signal our intention to the world to pursue even grander dreams and more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to our people all over the country,” Pres. Marcos said.
“Be assured that this administration will take the lead in identifying, pursuing, and implementing projects as part of the Build Better More Infrastructure Agenda that we have laid out,” he added.
For his part, Sec. Bautista said the massive infrastructure project shall be the “crown jewel” and “most ambitious railway project" of the Philippine mass transit system.
“We expect the MMSP to be operational by 2028," he also announced.
Meanwhile, Mayor Sotto said the citizens of Pasig are really looking forward to the day that they are able to walk to the subway station and ride a subway going to the airport, to Commonwealth, and to the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Sotto shared his confidence that under this administration and under the leadership of Pres. Marcos, the construction of the subway will be really smooth.
“Asahan nyo ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Pasig ay nandito para suportahan ang programa and we will do everything we can,” he added.
Information from the DOTr said the MMSP will be 33.1 kilometers long with 17 stations. Passenger waiting time at the station shall be only five minutes. The subway will run from Valenzuela city to Bicutan with travel time of just 45 minutes.(PIA-NCR)
