Makati City pushes forward with new partner for stalled subway project
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay revealed on Friday that the city government is currently negotiating with a new domestic partner to revive its ambitious intra-city railway project. This development comes after the original partner, Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., withdrew from the multi-billion-peso Makati Subway System. The pullout followed a Supreme Court ruling that transferred several territorial areas from Makati to Taguig City, throwing the project into uncertainty.
“Kahit hindi matutuloy siya sa original proponent, we are currently under negotiations with another group para gawin pa rin. Hindi man siya maging subway or maging monorail siya or above ground, pero tuloy yung idea of building a local mass transportation within Makati,” Mayor Binay disclosed in an ambush interview. The exact identity of the new partner remains under wraps, as the negotiations are still in their early feasibility stage.
The proposed shift from an underground subway to possibly a monorail or elevated system reflects Makati’s determination to push through with a local mass transit solution despite ongoing challenges.
Mayor Binay also highlighted the need to amend the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code. She criticized the existing law as “not encouraging” for local governments eager to pursue major infrastructure projects. According to her, bureaucratic delays and stringent requirements under the current PPP framework discourage private investors from joining such ventures.
Meanwhile, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, whose family holds political influence in Taguig City, expressed disappointment over the shelving of the subway project. He stressed that Taguig “never rejected the project” and insisted they were “never formally consulted” by Makati authorities. Cayetano emphasized Taguig’s openness to infrastructure initiatives that bring genuine benefits to the public, dismissing political rivalries as irrelevant in these matters.
Bong Revilla, chairman of the Senate public works committee, called the development “unfortunate” and urged the local governments of Makati and Taguig to find common ground to revive the project. He pointed out that existing agreements might pose roadblocks concerning equitable commitments and remuneration but stressed the hope for a solution that serves the public interest.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed the call for cooperation. He urged Makati City and its private partners to devise “win-win solutions” to avoid costly litigation and deliver efficient transportation service to commuters in both Makati and Taguig.
The Makati Subway, initially a $3.5-billion project, was designed to feature 10 underground stations linking key points such as Ayala Triangle, Makati City Hall, and the University of Makati. It broke ground in December 2018, with partners including Chinese firms Greenland Holdings Group, Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group, and China Harbour Engineering Company.
However, concerns over the Supreme Court ruling emerged as early as September 2023. The court’s decision placed the subway depot and several planned stations within jurisdictional boundaries now belonging to Taguig City—particularly in Barangays Cembo, West Rembo, and Pembo.
Aside from easing traffic congestion for up to 700,000 daily commuters, the subway aimed to reduce vehicle volume in Makati by 270,000. It was also planned to integrate with the MRT3, Pasig River Ferry, and the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway, with a target completion set for 2025.
Yet, the Supreme Court’s 2021 declaration confirmed that important portions of the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation and 10 barangays are under Taguig’s territory. Makati’s subsequent motion for reconsideration was denied in June 2023, delivering another setback to the project.
Despite these trials, Makati’s leadership remains steadfast in pursuing mass transit solutions. Mayor Binay’s announcement signals renewed hope that a modern, efficient transportation system for the city is still within reach. The coming months will reveal whether negotiations will bear fruit and how this vital project will proceed amid lingering political and legal hurdles.