The photo shows the progress of the Metro Manila Subway project in Valenzuela City during a media tour on February 26, 2024. According to the Department of Transportation, the project is expected to begin partial operations by 2028, and full operations in 2029. - Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday expressed confidence it will be able to complete the P488-billion Metro Manila Subway Project by 2029 despite the right-of-way issues it continues to face.

During a press conference after a site inspection of the North Avenue station, Bautista admitted that the awarding of the three remaining contract packages for the subway was again moved to the third quarter of this year since negotiations with affected landowners and property holders are still underway.

LOOK: Tunnel boring at North EDSA for the Metro Manila Subway project

The DOTr initially aimed to have CP 105, 108 and 109 awarded last year but that got rescheduled to the first quarter of 2024 and then delayed for a second time.

“Kailangang siguraduhin muna natin na yung right of way natin ay makuha kasi ang magiging problema natin here, if we enter into contracts with a contractor and then may mga issues pa tayo sa right of way, baka hindi magsimula on time. Magkakaroon ng tinatawag na prolongation cost,” explained Bautista.

According to Bautista, the DOTr has encountered problems with both the private sector and even some other government agencies.

“Yung isang station namin ay may tatamaan na isang building na pag-aari ng Department of Education (DepEd) and that building is considered a cultural property. Kailangan ayusin natin papaano natin maililipat yung building or posibleng ilipat din yung station,” he said, referring to the planned Senate-DepEd station in Pasay.

More subways eyed as DOTr shows off progress on flagship infra

Bautista said some homeowners do not want to have subway construction underneath their properties. But he said the DOTr has been allaying their safety concerns.

“Yung kanilang mga pag-aari, kanilang mga bahay will continue to be safe during the construction and during the operation of the subway. We’re using japanese technology, subok na yan. Wala naman naging problema yung mga tunnel at subway na ginawa sa Japan,” he noted.

So far, the progress rate for right-of-way acquisitions is at around 55 percent. Bautista assured the public that the DOTr is on top of this and that the agency will be able to resolve the issues in due time.

DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Jeremy Regino said Bautista has approved the hiring of more personnel to help speed up the process.

EXPROPRIATION AS LAST RESORT

Regino added that the DOTr would only resort to expropriation as a final recourse.

“We cannot continue to wait for so long. If there will be no agreement, then we will have to file the expropriation proceedings but without prejudice to continuing the negotiations. Ibig sabihin, pag nasampa na natin sa korte, nagkaroon na tayo ng writ of possession, it does not bar the continuation of a successful negotiation,” he said.

Regino also guaranteed just compensation for landowners and property holders who will be affected.

“Expropriation is different from confiscation. Expropriation is based on just compensation. It’s not as though pag nagkaroon ng writ of possession, maze-zero sila. Hindi po. Meron pong ide-deposit na full amount of the social value, the full amount of the replication cost of the structure at yun po, magagamit na agad ng landowner or property holder,” he added.

During the same event, the drilling for what would be the North Avenue subway station also commenced.

The North Avenue Station is under Contract Package 101 along with the other stations in Tandang Sora, Quirino Highway, and in East Valenzuela. The tunneling for this segment is expected to be finished in 12 months.

But the target completion date for the entire Metro Manila Subway Project, which is currently just 40 percent finished, is in 2029.