Marcos highlights infrastructure progress in SONA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted progress in the government's infrastructure program during his third State of the Nation Address on Monday.

Marcos emphasized ongoing railway projects such as the Metro Manila Subway, MRT-7, North-South Commuter Railway, and LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which is scheduled to open this year.

The president assured that right-of-way issues will be resolved efficiently to ensure the smooth development of infrastructure projects, noting significant progress in tunneling works for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).

New expressways like the CLLEX, NLEX-SLEX Connector, Plaridal Bypass, CALAX, and C-5 South Link are set for completion by the end of 2024 or early 2025, enhancing connectivity across regions.

Two major bridges in Mindanao—the Panguil Bay Bridge and Guicam Bridge—are scheduled to open this year, improving regional connections.

Despite these ambitious projects, transport advocate Ira Cruz noted that basic mobility needs were not addressed, emphasizing the importance of integrating rail systems with other modes of transportation like jeepneys and buses.