President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday hailed the latest breakthrough in the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project, as a tunnel-boring machine (TBM) completed excavation between the North Avenue and Quezon Avenue stations.
Marcos inspected the construction site of the Quezon Avenue Station on September 23, where he marked the breakthrough of the TBM, saying the country’s first underground railway is gradually taking shape.
The TBM completed the excavation of a 1.13-kilometer section from North Avenue Station to Quezon Avenue Station at a depth of around 35 meters below ground.
“This is a very important day today because we are commemorating the breakthrough of the tunnel-boring machine here in Quezon Avenue. Kaya tayo nandito to celebrate breakthrough of the tunnel boring machine. Kaya't malapit,” Marcos said.
“Ang nakikita ninyo 'yung subway project natin, dahan-dahan ay nabubuo na,” he added.
Marcos said the Quezon Avenue Station would become an important transportation hub as commuters would have access to both the Metro Manila Subway and MRT-3.
“'Pag natapos ito, napakaswerte nitong mga nakatira dito dahil meron silang subway. Meron silang MRT, marami silang pagdadaanan. Kaya this is going to be a very important part of the city,” Marcos said.
“And this is a very important day today because we are commemorating the breakthrough of the tunnel boring machine here in Quezon Avenue,” the president added.
The president also joked about the climb from the construction site after inspecting the underground portion of the project: “Medyo hingal kami. Mataas ’yung inakyat namin.”
The Metro Manila Subway is envisioned as the country’s first underground railway, connecting key areas of Metro Manila and providing an alternative to existing public transportation systems.
