Villar: Metro Manila subway crucial to EDSA decongestion

Senator Mark Villar underscored the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) as a critical component of the EDSA Decongestion Program, reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding rail infrastructure and providing Filipinos with faster, more efficient transportation alternatives.

“The completion of the Metro Manila Subway is key to finally addressing the chronic traffic congestion in EDSA and other major roadways,” said Senator Villar, former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and architect of the Build, Build, Build program.

“More rail means fewer cars, reduced travel time, and a higher quality of life for millions of Filipinos.”

The 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway, stretching from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is expected to serve over 500,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time between Quezon City and NAIA from over an hour to just 35 minutes. Once operational, it will seamlessly integrate with the MRT-3, LRT-1, LRT-2, and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), forming the backbone of a modern, interconnected transport system for Metro Manila.

Senator Villar highlighted the subway’s role in the broader EDSA Decongestion Program, which aims to shift Metro Manila’s reliance from road-based transport to an expanded rail network. Alongside new expressways, skyways, and road-widening projects, railway expansion remains a top priority in building a sustainable and efficient transport system.

“As we move toward a more developed Philippines, we must continue investing in mass transit solutions like the Metro Manila Subway,” Villar emphasized. “We cannot rely solely on roads. More rail infrastructure means fewer bottlenecks, greater productivity, and better economic opportunities for Filipinos.”

With state-of-the-art technology, including earthquake-resilient engineering and tunnel boring machines, the Metro Manila Subway will be the country’s first underground mass transit system, bringing the Philippines on par with other global megacities.

“The goal is clear: a decongested, more mobile, and globally competitive Metro Manila. The Metro Manila Subway is a game-changer, and I will continue working to ensure its timely completion,” Villar concluded.