Portions of the National Housing Authority (NHA) Quezon City property are now officially being developed as new stations for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in a groundbreaking ceremony held on April 28, 2023, at the Manila Seedling-NHA Property, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City.

NHA General Manager Joeben Tai, together with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar B. Chavez, Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte, Nishimatsu-DMCI Joint Venture Managing Officer Keiji Matsushita, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Kenjie Kuronuma and Japan Embassy Minister of Economic Affairs Daisuke Nihei graced the groundbreaking ceremony for the MMSP East and Quezon Avenues underground stations.

Dubbed as the “Crown Jewel” of the Philippines mass transport system, the 33.1 km train features a low-carbon emission rail project with 17 stations which shall connect Valenzuela and Parañaque Cities with points passing along Quezon, Pasig, Taguig and Pasay Cities.

Aligning with DHSUD Secretary Acuzar’s intention of developing the Manila Seedling Property as the new National Government Center, the NHA made available the utilization of 6.9 hectares of prime lot along EDSA corner Quezon Avenue. With this, the convergence of National Government Agencies will be strengthened and streamlined, making public services for Filipinos accessible and more efficient.

The MMSP is being developed with financial support in the form of a loan from JICA under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Japan government.

In a statement, NHA GM Tai committed the full support of the Authority in the conduct of all government projects towards the fulfillment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s dream of a comfortable life for Filipino families.

“Rest assured that under my leadership, you can expect the full support of NHA. With the implementation of the MMSP, along with the development of other government infrastructure programs, the NHA commits to share its expertise and available resources towards the fulfillment of the President’s dream of comfortable life for the Filipino families,” said GM Tai, emphasizing the Authority’s synergy with DHSUD’s goals and missions.

This milestone project is expected to be fully operational by the 4th quarter of 2028 and will serve 519,000 passengers per day, reducing traffic congestion and improving the quality of life of Filipino commuters.