Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, on behalf of the Philippine Government, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa, on behalf of the Government of Japan, signed the JPY 253.31 billion (about P112.87 billion or US$2.2 billion) 2nd tranche funding for the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project on Thursday (February 10) at the Department of Finance (DOF) Building in Roxas Blvd. Manila.

Also present at the signing ceremony were Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa and Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan.

Utilizing cutting-edge Japanese tunneling technology, the Metro Manila Subway involves the construction of a 27.5 kilometer (km) railway line from Valenzuela in Bulacan to Bicutan in Taguig City and the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City with a 33.1-km electromechanical system.

The project would also cover the physical integration segment with the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System (i.e., FTI to Bicutan). It also involves the construction of a depot and 17 stations (two of which will be constructed through a separate loan under the NSCR System), and the procurement of 30 train sets.