The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is optimistic about the progress of big-ticket railway projects, aiming to significantly alleviate the traffic congestion in the metropolis.
A key factor in accelerating these projects is the creation of the Inter-Agency Committee for Right-of-Way (ROW) Activities for National Railway Projects. This committee streamlines land acquisition, a critical bottleneck in infrastructure development.
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino said the newly-formed inter-agency committee will significantly speed up completion of major railway projects.
Under Administrative Order 19, the committee is tasked to study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for the implementation of all railway projects.
“It is expected that the railway activities will be accelerated when it comes to the right of way because there are already tying direct lines with the national agencies involving land acquisitions and settlement,” Aquino said.
Key infrastructure projects in the administration’s transportation sector agenda include the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway System, Mindanao Railway Project, and PNR South Long Haul.
These projects are designed to enhance mobility, boost connectivity, and stimulate growth centers beyond the urban-industrial area.
Aquino said the North South Commuter Railway Project from Tutuban to Malolos in Bulacan is now 40 percent complete, while the Malolos to Clark is already 30.22 percent complete.
The construction progress from Manila To Calamba in Laguna is already at 4.75 percent as of end April this year.
The 36-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project is already 13.7 percent completed as of end April 2024
With 17 stations, the project is set to reduce travel time between Valenzuela City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes.
The P488.5-billion project is also expected to serve around 370,000 passengers a day in its first year of full operations, with capacity to serve up to 1 million passengers a day in later years.
Aquino also said that the Phase 1 of the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project is expected to start operations by the end of the year.
Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11-km. LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station.
The remaining stations between Las Piñas and Niog are scheduled to become fully-operational by 2027.
The 11.7-kilometer, 8-station LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will connect Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City portion of the MRT Line-7–consisting of 12 stations will be operational by fourth quarter of 2025
Aquino said the Tala Station in Caloocan City will be completed by 2026, while the San Jose del Monte Station in Bulacan is expected to be completed by 2027 once the alignment issues have been resolved.
Aquino explained that the agency is working with the San Jose del Monte local government in Bulacan for the realignment of routes to better serve its constituents.
As of May 2024, the 22-kilometer rail line’s overall progress rate is at 69.86%. The MRT-7 Line has 14 stations, which will connect Quezon City and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.
Once completed, the rail line is expected to reduce travel time from Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in just 35 minutes.
