The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has started demolition and fencing works at the Metrowalk property in Pasig City to make way for the construction of the Ortigas Station of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said this marks progress after nearly three years of delay, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to fast-track the subway project to ease traffic and commuting woes in the metropolis.
Lopez, together with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, earlier led the demolition of the nearby Blackrock property. The DOTr has so far secured 82 percent of the right-of-way for the project and aims to reach 95 percent by December.
Transportation assistant secretary for right-of-way and site acquisition IC Calaguas led the recent Metrowalk demolition, joined by former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson and Ako Ilocano Ako Party-list Rep. Richelle Singson-Michael. The Singson family, which manages the eight-hectare Metrowalk property through Blemp Commercial of the Philippines Inc., has expressed full support for the government project. About 12,752 square meters of the area will be used for the Ortigas Station.
The 33-kilometer, 17-station underground subway will connect Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, with a spur line to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay. Once completed in 2032, the MMSP is expected to cut travel time between Valenzuela and Pasay from one hour and 38 minutes to just 45 minutes and serve around 519,000 passengers daily.
