More than 30,000 Filipinos have been employed through two of the country’s biggest mass transport projects, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said, as construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway continues to generate jobs for engineers, technical professionals, skilled workers, and local laborers.
The DOTr said the flagship projects under the government’s “Build Better More” program have so far created 10,122 jobs for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) and around 21,031 jobs for the NSCR.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency has been encouraging foreign contractors involved in the projects to prioritize Filipino workers, including those from communities near construction sites.
“At DOTr, when we build a project like this, they need workers and we tell them to prioritize not only the Filipino workers but also the workers, the employees in the area. Filipinos are really good. That’s the kind of job generation and job employment that these big projects should bring,” Lopez said.
The DOTr said it has worked with foreign project contractors to open opportunities for Filipino engineers, architects, technical specialists, and project management personnel. Contractors and subcontractors have also hired local skilled workers and laborers for construction operations.
For some employees, the projects have provided not only stable work but also better work-life balance.
Metro Manila Subway Project finance officer Sharlene Guyo said working on the subway gave her the chance to contribute to a major government infrastructure project while spending more time with her family.
“It’s a big difference from my previous job and I also have more time to spend with my family. We are thankful and grateful that we were given the chance to work on this project,” Guyo said.
The DOTr said the job generation from the two rail projects supports the Marcos administration’s goal of using major infrastructure investments to address unemployment and underemployment while building long-term transport capacity.
Once completed, the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway will have 35 stations and is expected to cut travel time between Clark, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna to about two hours from the current four-hour land trip. It is projected to serve around 800,000 passengers daily.
The 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway, meanwhile, will have 17 stations running from Valenzuela City to Parañaque City, ending at Bicutan Station in Taguig City, with a spur line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
Once fully operational in 2032, the subway is expected to reduce travel time along its route to about 45 minutes from the usual one hour and 38 minutes, and serve around 519,000 passengers daily.
The DOTr said both projects are expected to deliver a dual impact: providing jobs during construction while improving mobility, productivity, and commuter access once the railway systems begin operations.