In 2029, it will be possible to travel from Valenzuela to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in 35 minutes, drastically cutting today’s travel time of about 90 minutes to negotiate the same distance. That possibility of better, more comfortable, and more productive days ahead on the road in Metro Manila is the promise of the Metro Manila Subway.
On Feb. 26, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista led the site inspection of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative to the Philippines Sakamoto Takema. Secretary Bautista reported that the construction of the subway project recorded an “overall project implementation progress rate at 40 percent as of January 2024.”
The promise of shorter travel time was made in the opening remarks of Secretary Recto: “Once completed in 2029, the 17-station subway line will cut travel time from Valenzuela to NAIA from one hour and 30 minutes to only 35 minutes. This will benefit 519,000 commuters every day.”
His statement is good news to all, not only commuters, for reasons well-known to all – traffic in Metro Manila is bad. Citing a recent international index, Metro Manila had the worst traffic congestion among 387 metro areas in the world. The 2023 Tom Tom Traffic Index list said that Metro Manila recorded the slowest travel time of an average of 27 minutes and 20 seconds to drive 10 kilometers.
Traffic congestion in Metro Manila alone is estimated to cost the Philippine economy at least ₱3.5 billion per day, totaling a substantial ₱1.27 trillion annually, according to a recent study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Without effective intervention, this cost will rise to ₱5.4 billion daily or ₱1.97 trillion per year by 2035.
“The Metro Manila Subway’s direct economic benefits will allow us to save about ₱2.5 billion daily or ₱930.26 billion annually through reduced vehicle costs, travel time, and carbon emissions. The subway system alone will significantly mitigate economic losses caused by traffic congestion in the metro,” the Finance Secretary said.
The country’s first underground mass transport system will stretch across 33 kilometers, and will have 17 stations connecting Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, with a designated stop at NAIA Terminal 3. With a budget of ₱488.5 billion, it is considered the third largest project under the Marcos administration’s Build Better More program.
Like Secretary Recto, we look forward to “a future where traffic no longer disrupts the lives of Filipinos — when time is not lost but savored to pursue more meaningful and productive activities. When each of us can devote quality time with our families. When we can reap the benefits of the seamless movement of goods across the archipelago to facilitate economic growth and prosperity for all.”
While we wait for the subway to alleviate our traffic problem, let us do our part to help traffic flow. As motorists or commuters, we can contribute to the education part of the 3-Es of traffic management (education, enforcement, engineering) by educating ourselves about traffic laws and ordinances – and following it even without the presence of traffic authorities.