The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) joined the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. (SMMC) in the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo today, February 13.
Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte welcomed the attendees during the ceremony, including the Chief of Staff, AFP, General Andres Centino PA; OIC, DND UnderSecretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.; Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista; Quezon City 3rd District Representative Franz Pumaren; SMCC Project Director Hitoshi Yamaji; JICA Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema; and other officials from the Embassy of Japan.
The MMSP, the first mass underground rapid transit line in the Philippines, has a projected length of 36 kilometers traversing six (6) major cities with fifteen (15) stations which will help improve commuter mobility and boost intercity connectivity.
The CSAFP expressed the military’s support and appreciation for the project’s immense and far-reaching impact and benefits, contributing to the national effort to minimize carbon emissions and traffic. “It is without a doubt that our soldiers, together with the rest of our fellow Filipinos, look forward to the opportunities and the possibilities that come with the completion of this project,” he said as he thanked the movers behind the undertaking.
DND UnderSecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. congratulated the DOTr for the progress of the MMSP. “It is a significant milestone for our country that brings the Filipino people closer towards realizing our longtime collective dream and aspiration of having an accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe mass public transport system,” USec. Galvez said.
The ceremony represents the commencement of the works for the MMSP Contract Package 103, or the Two Underground Stations (Anonas and Camp Aguinaldo) and Connecting Tunnels that will connect Quezon City and Pasig, which aim to deliver a better transportation system for Filipinos. (VICTOR BALDEMOIR RUIZ)
