Tunnel Boring in Philippines’ First Subway Begins

On June 12, 2022, Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko joined President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to witness the actual lowering of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will be used for the tunneling works of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1.

“Today’s lowering of the TBM is such a huge turning point. Once the TBM is set in motion, it will unveil a new era in the history of Philippine railway. Japan takes pride in contributing to the construction of Metro Manila Subway Project. And we feel more than honored to be a major partner of the Philippine government in its bid to provide a more comfortable and convenient life to as many Filipinos as possible through infrastructure development,” Ambassador Koshikawa said during the ceremony.

The MMSP, dubbed as ‘Project of the Century’, will stretch across more that 36km and will reduce travel time between Valenzuela City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from one hour and 10 minutes to just 35 minutes. Japan’s assistance, through a variety of ODA support, will provide the Philippine government funds to build this quality infrastructure utilizing Japan’s 27000km railway experience and broad knowledge gained through the years. A total of 25 TBMs, manufactured by JIM Technology Corporation in Tsurumi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, will be used for the entire MMSP.