Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Meralco earmarks P280M to power up subway project

The Metro Manila Subway will change the way of living in the country’s economic center

- BY MARIA ROMERO @tribunephl_mbr

Manila Electric Co., or Meralco, has earmarked P280 million to build a new switching station that will deliver reliable and stable power for the country’s first undergroun­d mass transport system, the Metro Manila Subway Project, or MMSP.

The MMSP 115 kV switching station in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Ronnie L. Aperocho, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Meralco, said the investment is part of the company’s government programs for improved transporta­tion and energy security.

Change way of living

“The Metro Manila Subway will change the way of living in the country’s economic center,” Aperocho said.

“As we continue to make significan­t contributi­ons to nation-building and economic growth, this ceremony underscore­s Meralco’s unwavering commitment to powering the country’s critical infrastruc­ture by providing reliable, efficient and sustainabl­e power,” he added.

Transporta­tion Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, for his part, emphasized the critical role of Meralco in the groundbrea­king rail project.

Bautista pointed out that collaborat­ion transcends a typical public-private partnershi­p, as it directly impacts subway commuters, ensuring they experience comfortabl­e, affordable, safe, sustainabl­e and accessible train rides.

The MMSP is an undergroun­d railway line that will run from Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino Internatio­nal Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City, reducing travel time between the cities from an hour and 10 minutes to only 45 minutes.

Civil works

With 17 stations and a depot of 30.34 hectares, the civil works for the project’s two major segments are expected to generate more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Funded by the Japanese government, the MMSP is a 33-kilometer rail line that will stretch from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino Internatio­nal Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

The project is expected to reduce travel time between Quezon City and NAIA from one hour and 10 minutes to just 45 minutes.

 ?? PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MERALCO ?? Subway to progressTr­ansportati­on Secretary Jaime Bautista (left) and Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho seal the deal for the new switching station for the Metro Manila Subway Project.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MERALCO Subway to progressTr­ansportati­on Secretary Jaime Bautista (left) and Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho seal the deal for the new switching station for the Metro Manila Subway Project.

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