Makati Subway Project presents opportunities for private sector

The Makati Subway Project should inspire more firms to participate in the government’s multi-trillon peso “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program, said the project’s consortium leader.

Antonio Tiu, president of Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., which leads the private consortium that is currently engaged in the project, said that the unsolicited mega project demonstrated that a lot of opportunities are open for local and foreign firms that want to capitalize on the government’s determination to address the national infrastrastructure deficit.

“I believe in every crisis there’s an opportunity, and in the Philippines at the moment we are almost in a chaotic transport situation,” said Tiu.

Private sector to possibly play key role in Makati Subway Project

The Duterte administration has previously shown a preference for using public funds and official development assistance (ODA) to finance its big-ticket projects. However, Tiu suggests that the Makati Subway Project illustrates the key role that unsolicited proposals and the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) model plays in delivering major projects.

“The private sector can drive things with more flexibility and more accountability and at a faster speed,” he said.

The consortium, led by Tiu, pitched its proposal directly to the Makati City government, which he sees as a faster route compared to talking to different national agencies.

Tiu adds that he sees no logistical or regulatory difficulties in integrating the project with the national government’s other transit projects.

“I would like to really stress that this [national] government is open to foreign investment and our project. We are planning it in a way that it will link directly with the national transport network,” adds Tiu.  

Makati Subway to be fully operational in 2023

The Makati Subway Project broke ground in December 2018. The Makati City government expects the $3.7-billion project to be completed and fully functional by 2023.

The Makati Subway is a 10-station train system that spans 10 kilometers with stops in key points around Makati. It’s initial 12 coaches are expected to serve 27,000 passengers per hour, per direction, which is expected to increase to as much as 40,000 passengers during peak hours.