Makati-Taguig territorial row stalls Makati subway project

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Unveiling of the scale version of the Makati City Subway during the project's groundbreaking in December 2018. Photo from Makati City Facebook page.
  • The Makati City Subway project is now facing major changes due to a recent Supreme Court decision
  • The High Court decided that some areas previously within the jurisdiction of Makati City are within the control of Taguig City
  • The subway’s alignment is no longer feasible, with the depot and a few stations sitting in affected areas, according to subway project proponent Philippine InfraDev Holdings

The Makati City Subway project is now facing major changes due to a recent Supreme Court ruling on jurisdiction involving the cities of Makati and Taguig.

The High Court found some areas previously within the jurisdiction of Makati City within Taguig City’s control.

As a result, the subway’s alignment is now no longer feasible, with the depot and a few stations sitting in the affected areas, according to Philippine InfraDev Holdings, Inc, Makati City’s partner for the subway project.

In a regulatory disclosure, InfraDev said it wrote the Makati City seeking to start discussions in light of the change in law the SC decision brings.

In a decision dated September 28, 2022 but made public only in April 2023, the SC put an end to the land dispute between Makati and Taguig cities in connection with the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of Parcels 3 and 4, Psu-2031. The SC ruled the disputed properties are within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.

Parcels 3 and 4, Psu-2031 comprise Fort Bonifacio and Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, and Pitogo.

In October 2018, the Makati City government awarded the subway public-private partnership project to InfraDev and its partners.

The Makati City Subway, which broke ground in December 2018, will be a 10-kilometer intra-city mass transport system with up to 10 stations that will traverse Makati City’s central business districts. It is expected to accommodate up to 700,000 passengers per day aboard six car trains, each with a capacity of about 200 people.

In November 2021, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board approved the grant of tax incentives for the rail operations of the subway project, which was expected to begin commercial operations in January 2026.

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