The 4 Big Projects That Could Transform Manila Into a Modern City

Can Metro Manila finally become the modern city Filipinos have long dreamed of?

For years, people have complained about the same things: traffic, flooding, and a lack of reliable public transport. Now, several big projects are in progress to fix those problems and bring the capital closer to the level of its fast-growing ASEAN neighbours like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Here are four mega projects in the Philippines that could reshape how people live and move around Metro Manila.

Image credit: Gohan Strategy Website

The most ambitious project of all is the New Manila Bay City of Pearl.

This ₱50-billion development will reclaim 407 hectares along Manila Bay to build a futuristic smart city. The plan includes eco-friendly buildings, green transport systems, smart grids, and energy powered by the sun and sea.

Once completed, it will have homes, offices, and leisure spaces designed to attract both local and foreign investors. Supporters see it as a symbol of Manila’s future, while critics question its environmental impact.

Image credit: DOTr | Metro Manila Subway Render

The country’s first underground railway is being built under the busy streets of the capital.

The Metro Manila Subway will stretch 33 kilometres with 17 stations, connecting Valenzuela to Parañaque. Once finished, it is expected to serve around 400,000 passengers a day.

The project is now under construction, with three tunnel boring machines digging from key stations, including Camp Aguinaldo and Anonas. Partial operations are set for 2028, while full completion is expected by 2032.

When it opens, the subway will finally give Filipinos a faster and more reliable way to travel across the metro.

Also read: Metro Manila Subway Project Delayed Until 2032

Image credit: Steconfer Website

The MRT-7 will connect Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. This 22-kilometre rail line will have 14 stations and serve about 600,000 passengers daily.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) aims to open 12 stations by 2027. The Batasan Station is already complete. Once operational, MRT-7 will make travelling between northern Metro Manila and Bulacan quicker and easier.

It also hopes to reduce traffic on EDSA, one of the most congested roads in the country.

Also read: Are We Finally Getting Japan-Level Trains? Japan’s Biggest Transport Firms Bid to Run PH’s Mega Railway Project

Image credit: PHILKOTSE Website

If you often drive around the metro, you might already be using this one.

The Skyway Stage 3 connects the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). The 18-kilometre elevated expressway links the north and south parts of Metro Manila, cutting travel time from two hours to about 30 minutes.

With seven lanes and seven ramps, it can handle up to 200,000 vehicles a day. The Skyway has already helped ease congestion and given motorists a faster route across the city.

These projects could change Metro Manila’s image from a city of traffic and floods to one of progress and modern living.

If completed as planned, they could help the capital keep up with regional cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh.

For now, Manila’s transformation is still a work in progress. But after decades of delay and frustration, these megaprojects offer a reason to hope that change is finally on its way.