The ongoing construction of the Makati City subway system hit a snag after the recent Supreme Court decision finding some areas previously within the jurisdiction of Makati City to be within the jurisdiction of Taguig City instead.

“Under the Joint Venture Agreement executed between the Makati City Government and the Company, the depot and a few stations of the Makati City subway system will be in the affected areas,” said project developer Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. 

The firm noted that, because of the Supreme Court ruling, “the alignment of the subway will no longer be feasible.” 

The ruling transferred 10 barangays to the jurisdiction of Taguig City including at least three elements of the subway project: depot in Barangay Cembo, planned station in University of Makati in West Rembo, and the planned station in Ospital ng Makati in Pembo.

Philippine Infradev said it wrote the Makati City Government an Intent Notice to propose the commencement of discussions in light of the change in law the Supreme Court decision brings.

The 10-kilometer Makati Intra-City Subway was expected to be fully operational by 2025. The project will have 10 stations and is expected to be operational by 2025.

Philippine Infradev said earlier that its wholly-owned subsidiary Makati City Subway, Inc. (MCSI) formed an unincorporated joint venture with Richer Today, Inc. (RTI) for the financing, design, construction, development, marketing and sale of some 5.5 hectares of lots in and around Station 5 of the Makati City Subway Project.

Located near Makati City Hall, Station 5 is the main construction site where tunnel-boring machines will be assembled and lowered.

Under the earlier plans, the first station would be in the current location of the Makati Central Fire Station, which will be demolished, then towards a Lucio Tan owned property near Circuit Makati, and Makati City Hall. 

The remaining stations would be located near Century City, Rockwell Center, Guadalupe Bliss Housing in Cembo, BGC-Ortigas Link Bridge, University of Makati and the final station in the vicinity of Ospital ng Makati.

RTI, a holding firm primarily engaged in property acquisitions, fund transfers, remittance services, foreign exchange transactions, and other allied activities, is majority owned by real estate and gaming entrepreneur Kevin Kristopher K. Wong.

The company has investments and interests in property development, leasing of office and commercial spaces, food and beverages and other related businesses.

The firm will also be primarily and exclusively responsible for the marketing and sale of the gross sellable areas of the project, subject to the applicable laws and requirements.