Quezon city: A third tunnel boring machine (TBM) has begun drilling works for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday. During the TBM launch at Camp Aguinaldo Station, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez emphasized that this deployment aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to accelerate the completion of the MMSP.

According to Philippines News Agency, the TBM is currently drilling at a pace of nine meters daily and aims to reach Anonas Station in six months. Another TBM is set to be launched in the next two months. The third TBM is part of the MMSP Contract Package 103, with two TBMs having already excavated 1,000 meters from Camp Aguinaldo to Ortigas Station in Pasig City. The fourth TBM for Camp Aguinaldo station is already being assembled, contributing to the total of eight TBMs for the entire MMSP line.

Once completed, the 33-kilometer, 17-station MMSP will extend from Valenzuela City to Bicutan Station in Taguig City, with a spur line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The MMSP is projected to accommodate a daily ridership of 519,000 once fully operational in 2032. It will also be interoperable with the North South Commuter Railway via the Food Terminal Inc. and Bicutan stations. The subway is anticipated to reduce travel time from Valenzuela to Pasay to 45 minutes, compared to the current one-hour and 38-minute drive.