The Department of Transportation said it is on track to start partial operations of the Metro Manila Subway Project by the last quarter of next year despite the delays in construction due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) 19 pandemic. 

In a virtual briefing with the House Committee on Economic Affairs, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said the construction activities for Metro Manila Subway have been delayed for three months due to pandemic. 

“But we are catching up, kinakaya po namin yan at pinipilit ho naming kayanin. Yung subway, tuloy pa rin ho yung schedule namin  gusto ko ho mag-parital operatbility last quarter of next year,” he added. 

In December last year, the DOTr formally began with the clearing works and fencing activities in parts of Valenzuela City and Quezon City representing the partial operability section of the P355-billion project.

The section of the subway includes the first stations in Valenzuela City and Quezon City, the line’s depot in Valenzuela City and buildings for the Philippine Railway Institute, the country’s first railway training center.

Dubbed as the “Project of the Century,” the underground rail line is expected to serve 370,000 passengers daily in its first year of full operations, and is targeted to be partially operable by 2021.

Once completed and fully operational, the Metro Manila Subway Project will have 15 stations, including a terminal station at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

The subway system will be financed via official development assistance from Japan, with an interest of 0.10 percent per annum, payable in 40 years, inclusive of a grace period of 12 years.

Japan International Cooperation Agency already signed a loan agreement with the Philippine government to provide a loan of up to 104.53 billion yen for the first phase of the project.