MANILA — Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Ambassador ENDO Kazuya of the Embassy of Japan signed and exchanged diplomatic notes for the fourth tranche of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1 and Central Mindanao High Standard Highway (Cagayan de Oro–Malaybalay Section) on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The fourth tranche loan for the MMSP Phase 1, under the Department of Transportation (DOTr), amounts to JPY 220 billion (approximately PHP 84.81 billion). This funding is critical for the continued development of the 27.5-kilometer subway line, which will stretch from Valenzuela to Bicutan NAIA Terminal 3.
The massive undertaking includes construction of a depot and 17 strategic stations, installation of a 33.1-kilometer electromechanical system, procurement of 30 train sets, and physical integration with the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), specifically the FTI to Bicutan segment.
Simultaneously, the two nations signed a JPY 1.672 billion (approximately PHP 644 million) loan for the engineering services of the Central Mindanao High Standard Highway’s Cagayan de Oro–Malaybalay section.
Managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the project aims to revolutionize logistics in Mindanao. With a target implementation period from 2026 to 2034, the highway is expected to slash travel time between Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay nearly in half—from 6.5 hours to just 3.5 hours.
The signing was witnessed by high-ranking officials from the DOTr, DPWH, Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Secretary Lazaro emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that the project “builds on the strong foundation of our existing cooperation with Japan,” and “reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that progress in connectivity is both efficient and inclusive.”
She further noted that these developments align with the national priority of modernization, adding that the projects “add thrust to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s agenda of enhancing connectivity under the Build Better More (BBM) initiative.“|
