The Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) continues to gain traction as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched the operations of the JIM Technology Corporation TBM at the project’s Camp Aguinaldo Station.
Under MMSP’s Contract Package 103, constructed by Sumitomitsui Construction, four TBMs will be utilized for the tunnelling of the Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo Stations, for a length of some 6.5km of tunnel.
Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Jeremy Regino said more TBMs will be operating in the coming years to expedite the completion of the country’s first underground rail system.
“We will continue to add more tunnel boring machines. We expect the 19 TBMs to be operating in the coming years, to expedite construction of this subway project,” Usec. Regino said.
He added that despite a limited operating budget for 2025, the DOTr will go full blast in constructing railway projects to help alleviate traffic in Metro Manila and adjacent areas.
“The DOTr commits to go full blast with our projects this year despite budget constraints,” Usec. Regino said during the TBM launch.
The transport executive assured that the agency will address various issues that may hamper the construction of various big-ticket projects including right-of-way to fast-track its construction.
For his part, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner said the Metro Manila Subway Project will change the dynamic of transportation in the country.
“The Subway Project is a catalyst for change, promising to make travel quicker, more efficient, safer, and far less stressful,” the AFP chief said.
As of December 2025, the country’s first ever underground railway’s overall construction progress is at 18.24%.
Billed as the Philippines’ “Crown Jewel” of mass transit system, the 33km Metro Manila Subway will cut across eight cities from Valenzuela City to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque City.
Once completed, the rail system will cut travel time from Valenzuela City to Pasay City from one hour and 38 minutes to just 45 minutes, while servicing over half a million passengers daily.
Photo: Manila Department of Transportation.
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