Makati Subway affected by Makati-Taguig dispute

MANILA, Philippines — The landmark $3.5 billion Makati Subway project is the latest casualty of the Supreme Court’s ruling that some areas in Makati are under the jurisdiction of neighboring Taguig City.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) yesterday, Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc., the proponent of the subway project,  said that the alignment of the subway would no longer be feasible because of the High Court’s ruling.

The company said that some of the proposed subway stations are in the affected areas or those that are now within the jurisdiction of Taguig City instead of Makati.

“Under the joint venture agreement executed between the Makati City Government and the company, the depot and a few stations of the Makati City subway system will be in the affected areas. Also, the alignment of the subway will no longer be feasible,” Philippine Infradev said.

According to the company,  the planned subway depot in Barangay Cembo; a planned station in University of Makati in West Rembo; and another planned station in Ospital ng Makati in Pembo are affected.

In light of this, the company has asked the Makati City government for a meeting to discuss the Supreme Court ruling.

The  10-kilometer railway system to be built in Makati is touted as the biggest PPP (Public-Private Partnership)  project for a local government unit.

Under the original plan, the project would connect the current Central Business District along Ayala Avenue, the Makati City Hall, the Poblacion Heritage Site, the University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and the other new business districts within the city.

Aside from the big-ticket subway project, public schools in the affected areas were also affected by the Supreme Court decision although Makati Mayor Abby Binay committed to continue providing assistance to the students.

Students studying at the University of Makati and residents served by the Ospital ng Makati who are beneficiaries of Makati’s social programs would also be affected.

The Supreme Court’s decision stemmed from a case filed by the municipal government of Taguig in 1993 against Makati before the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC), contending “that the areas comprising EMBOr or the Enlisted Men’s Barangays and other nearby areas were within its territory and jurisdiction.