Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, owner of a major commercial hub in Pasig City, on Monday called on the government to begin construction of the long-delayed Metro Manila Subway.

As president and chairman of the LCS Group of Companies, which owns Metrowalk, Singson said he has been waiting for three years after issuing a permit-to-enter on 30 September 2022. However, the promised construction of the ₱17.75-billion project that aims to improve the country’s transportation system has yet to start.

“Kami ay umaapela kay DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez na agad nang simulan ang matagal nang naantalang konstruksiyon ng Metro Manila Subway, at nagpadala na kami ng liham sa kanila,” Singson said.

The appeal was made after Megawide Construction Corporation, together with its joint venture partners Tokyu Construction and Tobishima Corporation from Japan, won the bid for the ambitious project.

Singson insisted that the construction “should begin immediately.”

The delay has pushed the project’s expected completion to 2032 — a five-year setback. Once finished, the subway is expected to significantly improve the commuting system in Metro Manila.

“Ang proyekto ay magiging isang malaking pagbabago para sa mass public transportation ng metro,” said Edgar Saavedra, Megawide’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“Ang Megawide at ang aming mga partner na Tokyu at Tobishima ay bihasa, moderno at pinagkakatiwalaan sa aming mga larangan at sa bansa, na pinaniniwalaan naming magiging kritikal sa tagumpay ng pioneering na gawaing ito,” Saavedra added.