After three years of delay, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has already started demolition and fencing works of Metrowalk, the property where the Ortigas Station of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) will be constructed.
This move has improved the completion rate of the project’s right-of-way acquisition to 82 percent, DOTr Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.
The DOTr has acquired 82 percent of the Right-of-Way of MMSP and, by December, targets 95 percent ROW completion.
Acting Secretary Lopez said the Metrowalk property is an integral part of the MMSP Ortigas Station.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to fast track the construction of the subway project to ease daily commuting woes.
Acting Secretary Lopez, along with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, led the demolition of the nearby Blackrock property last month.
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas, meanwhile, led the demolition and fencing of the property, which will comprise the whole MMSP Ortigas Station.
Asec. Calaguas was joined by former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and Ako Ilocano Ako Partylist Representative Richelle Singson Michael during the activity.
The former governor said that his family is cooperative with the project of the government.
The Singson family owns Blemp Commercial of the Philippines Inc. (BCPI), the company that manages the Metrowalk.
The 33-kilometer, 17-station underground railway will run from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City with spur line at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
Once the subway is completed, travel time will be reduced from one hour and 38 minutes to just 45 minutes from Valenzuela to Pasay, with expected ridership of 519,000 passengers daily once in full operations in 2032.
