The ambitious Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), intended to be the Philippines’ first underground train line, will not be fully operational during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.

However, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has committed to completing at least three stations by 2028.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon told reporters Wednesday that the entire 17-station line is now targeted for completion by 2032.

“But we want to finish at least two to three stations by 2028, and that is starting from Valenzuela, Quirino and hopefully even North,” Dizon said, referring to potential early operational segments.

“We want to do the partial ops but we are discussing that with the Japanese,” he added.

Earlier Wednesday, Dizon and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto inspected the Ortigas Station, which remains the subway’s only major right-of-way hurdle. Dizon clarified that the Ortigas station would “definitely not be finished by 2028. We never promised that.”

To recall, the President had previously expressed a desire for the subway’s first three stations to be operational before his term concludes.

The 33-kilometer MMSP will stretch from Valenzuela City to Pasay City, including a spur line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

It will feature 17 stations and a 30.34-hectare depot in Valenzuela, which will also house the Philippine Railway Institute.

The planned stations are Valenzuela, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, East Avenue, Anonas, Katipunan (Camp Aguinaldo), Ortigas Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Kalayaan Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Lawton East, Senate-DepEd, NAIA Terminal 3, FTI and Bicutan.