© Victor D. Sollorano, GMA News Passengers wait for the train to arrive at the Quezon Avenue Station of the MRT3 at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Photo by Victor D. Sollorano, GMA News
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Sunday said the Philippines will establish a railway institute as part of the government's agreement with Japan to improve the country's train system.
In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Andanar confirmed that the first phase of construction of the Metro Manila subway project will commence next year. Part of the first phase is the establishment of the railway institute, he said.
The subway project will be under the supervision of the Department of Transportation in cooperation with the government of Japan.
"Kailangan meron kang training institute para sa mga gagawa, magku-construct or magme-maintain ng ating mga railway sa Pilipinas," Andanar said.
Andanar said that other countries have their own railway institute or center which serves as training ground for personnel responsible for the construction and maintenance of the railway or subway system.
"So it is a must to have a railway institute, kasama 'yan sa mga kasunduan ng Pilipinas at Japan para ma-maintain nang maayos," he said.
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had earlier said the construction of the Metro Manila subway will begin in the third quarter of 2018.
“Right now they’re finalizing the feasibility study. The way we will do this is through design-and-build as these are among the few projects which will be not completed under Duterte’s term because it takes about several years. But at least we can look forward to having a subway,” he said. —Erwin Colcol/ALG, GMA News