Another historic milestone and remarkable event for the Philippines’ railway sector has been unveiled, and government officials and partners witness the arrival of the Cutter Head of ‘KAUNLARAN’, the first among the six Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) intended for use in the partial operability section of the first ever underground railway system of the country.
The Cutter Head is the largest part of the TBM, weighing 74 tons. Its main purpose is to break, cut and grind rocks and soil by rotating its 36-piece disc cutter, composed of 15 pieces of single and 21 pieces of twin Roller Cutter (RC).
The arrival of the first TBM Cutter Head also signals the continuous arrival of the other TBM equipment and materials. On the following days of February 2021, the remaining parts of the machine will arrive and will be transported at the site for assembly, which will then be followed by the conduct of mandatory operational test prior to the lowering and main drive underground. It is expected to be done in the third quarter of this year.
A total of 25 TBMs will be utilized for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).
Playing an integral part in building the subway, the TBMs will be used to dig underground and lay out the tunnels. They can excavate through a variety of ground conditions, from hard rock to sand.
The MMSP is the first underground railway system in the country that will provide the most modern mass transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR), from Valenzuela City to FTI, Parañaque, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3) in Pasay and will further stretch across North and South zones of the Greater Capital Region.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade leads the arrival ceremony, along with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr., Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar.
Other government officials also present in the event are Valenzuela 1st District Representative Weslie Gatchalian, Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos.
"I’m most honored to be part of another milestone of this country. Despite the onslaught of the pandemic the Philippine government has never wavered in its commitment to better infrastructure, carrying out the mandate "Build, Build, Build". Today’s unveiling ceremony for the tunnel boring machine marks the beginning of a series of strategic actions for the realization of the Metro Manila Subway Project spearheaded by the Department of Transportation in partnership with the Japan international agency. What is important is maximizing urban space and creating synergy of livable and sustainable space. Simultaneously, the developing commercial spaces that attract local and non-local commuters. These add value to the success of urban subways. As one of the mega cities in Asia, Metro Manila's growing urban challenges, namely the road and transport congestion, not to mention out Metro streets that are used beyond their capacity, utilizing underground space proves more viable. As the first subway railways system in the country that will provide mas transport in the national capital region, the MMDA strongly believes that accelerating our mass transportation system with this unified subway station will stir us to the right course. We are inspired by this vision and we are motivated to take part in this mission as well. Having this in the pipeline, we now look forward to kilometers of walkway with more safe spaces to enjoy the promise of a robust economy. Indeed, this is just one of the countless bold ventures, as we face the headwinds of the future. We will rise above this current pandemic and stay on the course toward KAUNLARAN, our progress. Mabuhay po ang Pilipinas. Mabuhay ang Japan,” said MMDA Chairman Abalos in his speech earlier.
Also present are Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa, Senior Representative Kiyo Kawabuchi, Representative Akira Fukuyama, and Embassy of Japan - Economic Affairs First Secretary Kudo Hiroyuki.
DOTr officials in attendance include Undersecretary for Finance Garry De Guzman, Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Philippine Railway Institute (PRI) Executive Director Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc, Assistant Secretary for Railways BGen. Fidel Cruz, Jr., Chief of Staff/Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs Goddes Hope Libiran, Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation - Mindanao Cluster Eymard Eje, Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Junn Magno, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, and PPA Manila Port Manager Annie Lee Manese.
Presidential Spokesperson Roque also gave his speech and he’s elated that the Philippines will soon have its very first subway. "On behalf of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, allow me first to congratulate the DOTr, JICA, and the Japanese government for this historic and momentous event. Sa wakas po magkakaroon na tayo ng subway. We were the first to have the LRT in the while of Asia, and although we were a bit delayed in having our subway, now we can say, we have truly modernized our transportation in this country,” said Roque as he expressed his appreciation to the project.
"The arrival of this equipment is significant because it contributes further to what I have described as the renaissance of Philippine infrastructure. As you know the President has many critics, and they will not stop until they regain power. But presidents will come and go but in the annals of Philippine history, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, will be remembered for the renaissance of infrastructure, for beating COVID-19, and of course, for all the social legislations that he so shepherded, including universal healthcare and free tuition in state colleges and universities. Let today's event be recorded in the annals of Philippine history as another first of the Duterte administration. And to his critics, I have only this to say, manigas kayong lahat! Good morning to all of you."
Other guest officials include Northrail Chairman Eduardo Quintos IV, MHCPSI President/CEO Jose Manuel De Jesus, ICTSI Chairman and President Enrique K. Razon, Jr., ICTSI Executive Vice President Christian Gonzalez, SFTE-JE President and CEO Roberto Jose Castillo, and SFTE-JV Deputy Project Manager Hiromasa Yamamoto, as well as other executives and officials from the private sector.