More than three years after works were stalled due to right-of-way issues.
On Wednesday, October 22, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) started the demolition and fencing works of Metrowalk in Pasig City.
The said property is where the future Ortigas station of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) will be constructed—the largest in the network.
“After nearly three years of delay, sinimulan na natin ang demolisyon at pagbabakod sa property para naman masimulan na rin natin ang pagtatayo ng Ortigas Station ng subway,” said Acting Transportation Sec. Giovanni Lopez.
He also noted that 82% of the project’s right-of-way had already been acquired, with the Transportation department looking to meet its 95% ROW completion target by December 2025.
“Talagang minamadali na ng DOTr ang mga natitira pang right of way sa MMSP para tuloy-tuloy na ang konstruksyon ng proyekto at mapakinabangan na ng mga komyuter,” added the transport official.
Meanwhile, DOTr Asec. for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas led the demolition and fencing of the property and was joined by former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson and Ako Ilocano Ako Partylist Representative Richelle Singson Michael during the activity.
The former governor and his family owns Blemp Commercial of the Philippines Inc. (BCPI), the company that manages the Metrowalk.
The demolition works at Metrowalk started a month after Acting Secretary Lopez, along with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, led the demolition of the nearby Blackrock property.
The Metro Manila Subway is a 33-kilometer, 17-station underground railway that will run from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, with a branch line to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
Once completed, travel time between Valenzuela and Pasay is estimated to be reduced from the current one hour and 38 minutes to just 45 minutes, with the daily ridership of 519,000 passengers once full operations begin in 2032.