Valenzuela City Mayor WES Gatchalian expresses his full commitment and support to the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) following the successful launching of the tunnel boring machine at MMSP Depot, Barangay Ugong, January 9.

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) No. 1 “Kaunlaran” arrived at Manila Port last February 2021. In June 2022, the TBM cutter head was lowered and after several months of preparation and assembly, the TBM underwent the final Site Acceptance Test in December 2022. In this regard, the TBM “Kaunlaran” is ready for launch. This will kickstart the tunneling works of one of the boldest and most ambitious projects of the Administration.

In his opening remarks, Mayor WES Gatchalian reiterated the Valenzuela government’s full commitment and support to the first-ever underground railway system in the Philippines, “We are pleased to inform His excellency [President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.] that among all the cities, which have resettlement concerns with the Department of Transportation, Valenzuela City has accomplished 90% of the documentation requirements, as well as successfully relocated the 183 informal settler families living near the project, to our Disiplina Village Bignay.”

Mayor Gatchalian added that addressing this relocation concern is a concrete example to show the City’s commitment to the administration, and the result of a smooth and efficient partnership between the National and Local governments.

Valenzuela City is home to the depots of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway Project. These railway projects will help the Valenzuelano residents and the neighboring cities, both in transportation and job opportunities.

Further, the local chief executive concluded his speech with a promise, “Mister President, you and your administration can always count on Valenzuela City’s full support, as well as our smooth and efficient coordination, as we proceed “Full Speed Ahead” with the implementation of the Metro Manila Subway Project. Together, we Build Better More!”

Dubbed the “Project of the Century”, the Metro Manila Subway Project is 33.1 km. with 17 stations, running from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, which aims to reduce travel time between Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City from the present one hour and ten minutes to just 35 minutes.

Once operational, the MMSP is expected to serve approximately 519,000 passengers daily.

Gracing the event were President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Embassy of Japan to the Philippines Minister Matsuda Kenichi, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema, Oriental Consultants Global President Eiji Yonezawa, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator JV Ejercito, Senator Mark Villar, Valenzuela First and Second District Representatives, Congressman REX Gatchalian and Congressman Eric Martinez.

###