During his visit to the Republic of the Philippines on November 4, 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida inspected the construction site of Section CP101 of the Manila Metro Project in the Philippines, which is under the supervision of Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. (OC Global). He was joined by the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and had the opportunity to experience a driving simulator, which is intended to be used for the “Philippine Railway Training Center Establishment and Operational Capacity Enhancement Support Project.” OC Global is carrying out the project to train future train drivers.

Prime Minister Kishida receiving an explanation of CP101.

Front : The driving simulator experienced by Prime Minister Kishida.
Center : Prime Minister Kishida.
To the right of Prime Minister Kishida :
Mr. Bautisda / Minister of Transportation, Mr,Rontok / Vice Minister of Transportation.
To the left of Prime Minister Kishida: Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Moriya, Deputy Minister of Railways Chavez.

The Manila Metro Project is being implemented with the support of Japanese government ODA funds and grant aid, with a planned length of 34 kilometers and an expected opening in 2029. Construction is progressing steadily. The CP101 section of the project, which the Prime Minister inspected during his site visit, is located at the northernmost end of the Manila Metro project and includes four stations and a vehicle depot. In January 2023, the Philippines’ first tunnel boring machine was launched at this site, making it the most advanced section of the project.

Metro Manila, the economic hub of the Philippines with a population of 13 million, has been facing worsening traffic congestion due to rapid economic development and centralization. To address this issue, the Philippine government has been actively implementing large-scale urban railway projects in the capital region. OC Global has been involved in planning, design, construction supervision, and other aspects of multiple railway lines in the Philippines and has actively contributed to the training of railway professionals through JICA technical cooperation projects. OC Global will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines’ DOTr to vigorously promote the safe, secure, efficient, and expedient construction of the project to alleviate traffic congestion in Manila.

OC Global is contributing to the country’s CO2 reduction efforts while ensuring safe, secure, and efficient infrastructure development through railway projects.