Meralco to invest P280 M for Metro Manila Subway

Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will invest P280 million for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).

The investment is for the development of a new switching station that will secure “the provision of reliable and stable power for the country’s underground mass transport system.” MMSP’s 115-kilovolt switching station will connect the transport system to Meralco’s distribution network.

The switching station project will be put up in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City and is expected to be completed in 2026.

“This trailblazing rail project will not be able to proceed without help from Meralco,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a signing with the energy utility provider. DOTr and Meralco signed the Switching Station Agreement with Deeds of Usufruct on Feb. 15.

Pursuant to the deal, DOTr will provide Meralco a switching station area of 1,743 square meters.

Moreover, Meralco’s role in the deal will finance, install, control, operate, and maintain the switching station for the Metro Manila Subway interconnection.

The Metro Manila Subway is an underground railway line that will span from Valenzuela City to Bicutan with 17 stations.

“This collaboration goes deeper than a public-private partnership. It translates to the benefit of subway commuters whom we promised comfortable, affordable, safe, sustainable and accessible train rides,” Bautista said.

The subway is estimated to reduce travel time between the cities to 45 minutes, from an hour and 10 minutes.

“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,” Meralco EVP and COO Ronnie Aperocho said.

The MMSP has a total project cost of P488.48 billion. The underground project is expected to be fully completed and operational by 2029, following a slated partial operation by 2028.

The Department of Transportation marked a significant milestone on Feb. 15 as it signed the Switching Station Agreement with Deeds of Usufruct with Meralco to facilitate the use of 1,743 square meters of its Valenzuela City railway depot for Meralco’s switching station. This station will energize the Valenzuela depot, propelling the Metro Manila Subway Project forward. In photo are (from left): DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, Meralco FVP and head of customer retail services Charina Padua, Meralco head of national government accounts Rene Sua, and DOTr Undersecretary Jeremy Regino.