MANILA, Philippines —President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. described the ongoing construction of the Metro Manila Subway project as “impressive” and expressed optimism that it can be completed by 2028.

“Sana matapos natin ito hanggang sa Valenzuela, baka matapos natin ito ‘28. Baka puwede nang in-inaugurate sa 2028,” President Marcos said in a media statement after inspecting the project.

The President led the inspection of a portion of the subway’s southbound rail from Camp Aguinaldo Station, riding a transport vehicle used by construction workers.

He was joined by Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez, Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo, representatives from Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. (SMCC), and several Filipino engineers.

“Basta tingnan natin. Lahat naman ay nag-a-agree na kailangan bilisan nang mabuti at nang husto dahil ang ating mga commuter ay para naman maging mas maginhawa ang kanilang pag-commute,” the President said.

He also inspected one of the tunnel boring machines being used for the project.

“Napaka-impressive. Impressive talaga ito. Kung titingnan ninyo, isipin niyo kung gaano kabigat ‘yung engineering na dinadala nila dito,” Marcos said, lauding Japanese engineering as among the best in the world.

“Kaya I urge everyone to keep going, and we look forward to the day when we can say na nasakyan na natin ‘yung subway sa Pilipinas. We have taken the tube to go to work,” he added.

The 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway will run from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. Travel time between the two points, which currently takes around two hours and 30 minutes, will be reduced to just 40 minutes once the subway is operational, Marcos said.

He also highlighted the collaboration between Filipino and Japanese engineers on the project.

“Ngunit hindi lang sila nandito, tinuturuan din ang ating mga engineers. At kung makikita ninyo doon sa loob, isa lang, dalawang lang ang supervisor na Hapon. Karamihan ng mga nagtatrabaho puro Pilipino na,” he said.

“Once again, I am not surprised dahil kayang-kaya naman talaga ng Pilipino ‘yun basta maturuan nang mabuti.”