Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has commended the Duterte Administration for making life more comfortable for Filipinos through its Build, Build, Build program as he attended, together with President Rodrigo Duterte, the lowering of the Tunnel Boring Machine of Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City on Sunday, June 12.

“Layunin ng mga proyektong magbigay ng mas komportableng buhay para sa mga Pilipino, lalo na pagdating sa pagbyahe. Napaka-importante nito sa paglago ng kabuhayan sa ating mga komunidad at pagkakaroon ng mga economic opportunities sa kanayunan,” said Go.

“Parte po ang mga malalaking proyektong ito sa pamana ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa susunod na henerasyon,” he added.

A project under the Build, Build, Build program, the MMSP is a 33-kilometer subway system with 17 stations interconnecting the north and south portions of Metro Manila, from Quirino Highway corner Mindanao Avenue to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The project costs PhP488 billion and is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

As of June 6, 2022, the project is 32.06% accomplished and is targeted to be partially operational by 2025 and fully operational by 2027.

The MMSP will serve over 370,000 passengers per day and reduce the travel time from Quezon City to NAIA by half – from about 70 minutes to 35 minutes.

In his speech, Duterte thanked the Japanese government for assisting in the economic development of the Philippines, particularly in the construction of the country’s first subway system.

“May I express my gratitude again to the Japanese government for partnering with the Philippines to make this dream a reality. I am also grateful to have the Japan International Cooperation Agency as an ally in nation-building particularly in initiatives that will benefit our citizens and accelerate our country’s economic development,” Duterte said.

The Duterte Administration’s ambitious infrastructure development plan is made up of numerous projects that will be implemented throughout the country. The program’s objectives are to relieve poverty, strengthen the economy, and alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Previously, Go reassured Filipinos that he will continue to support infrastructure projects that serve different regions in order to achieve a more equitable distribution of economic development across the country.

“Bilang inyong senador, asahan niyo po lagi kong isusulong ang mga proyekto, panukala at adhikain na makakatulong sa bawat Pilipino,” Go earlier said.

Go has also been vocal in his support for the government’s infrastructure projects. He added that these initiatives will bring in more jobs and economic opportunities outside Metro Manila and will provide livelihood to Filipinos, especially those who were left jobless due to the pandemic.

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, actively supported several infrastructure development programs across the country.

“Walang humpay ang ating paglilingkod. Pinag-aaralan natin ang lahat ng posibleng paraan na maaaring makapagpabilis sa daloy ng serbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Para naman sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, basta kapakanan ng mga Pilipino, ipaglalaban namin ‘yan hanggang sa huli,” he stressed.

On April 27, Go also joined Duterte in Cordova City, Cebu for the inauguration of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway at the