TAGUIG, Philippines – Commuters making their way to the busy Uptown area of Bonifacio Global City are set to be offered a quicker means of transport through the recently launched Kalayaan Avenue Station project, which is one of the three stations being developed for the Metro Manila Subway project in the country’s financial and lifestyle capital.
On February 13, 2026, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kalayaan Avenue and BGC stations at the Uptown Parade Parking Lot in BGC, Taguig City. The event marked a major milestone for the country's first-ever underground railway system, which the President noted is now moving "ahead of schedule".
Station Location and Key Details
Kalayaan Avenue Station is situated under the BGC's 11th Avenue and Uptown Open Parking Lot which makes it lie immediately below the Uptown Bonifacio neighborhood. It falls under Contract Package 105 (CP 105) that refers to a Civil Works – Build Only Contract of the Kalayaan Avenue and BGC underpass stations and tunnels in Barangay Fort Bonifacio. The total distance of its route is 1.331 kilometers.
The project will be executed by the consortium of D.M. Consunji Incorporated (DMCI) and Japanese construction company, Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd., which had successfully bid for CP 102 concerning the stations at East Avenue and Quezon Avenue. The duration of the project contract is expected to be about 67 months (5 years and 7 months).
The construction will employ a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for the main tunnels and the Cut-and-Cover method for the station itself.
Faster Travel for Visitors
The subway will significantly decrease travel time to Uptown BGC of both tourists and day trippers. While traveling from Valenzuela City to BGC will only take 29 minutes compared to the original 90 minutes, going from Quezon City to NAIA will require only 35 minutes instead of the usual 70 minutes. With regard to BGC stations specifically, these will transport over 200,000 passengers each day during the first year, while the entire capacity of the subway will reach up to 500,000 passengers each day. It should also provide easy access to other railroads such as LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, MRT-4, MRT-7, and the North-South Commuter Railways. Another benefit is the construction of a railroad connecting BGC with NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. With this, BGC can serve as the first and last point of call for foreign tourists.
What This Means for Visitors
Shopping at Uptown Mall – Your one stop for groceries, movies, and the Light and Sound Fountain Show at Uptown Mall
Uptown Parade – A fun street with plenty of restaurants, bars, and outdoor dining
BGC Amphitheater – Venue for musical festivals like the Manila Gin Festival (February) and concerts all year long
The Palace – A high-end entertainment venue
As per the expectations of BCDA, the new development in rail connectivity would attract pedestrian footfall to the nearby retail centers as well as dining places due to increased accessibility of railway stations.
A More Walkable, Visitor-Friendly BGC
Alongside the MRT construction project, there will also be an evaluation of the master development plan of BGC conducted by the BCDA together with SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co.
"We want to make sure that BGC continues to become more people-centric, with greater focus on open spaces, mobility, and transportation. Moving forward, we want BGC to be more open and accessible to all sectors of society," said BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang.
According to Bingcang, government investments in infrastructure are aiding BGC in developing as an area that can be easily accessed and more commuter-friendly. "When mass transit becomes embedded in the estate, it improves mobility, strengthens property fundamentals, and supports long-term competitiveness," he said.
Project Background
Kalayaan Avenue Station is one of the major components of the Metro Manila Subway Project, which is a 33-kilometer railway project underground that includes 17 stations from Valenzuela City to Bicutan in Taguig with links to NAIA Terminal 3. This project is fully funded by a financing agreement between JICA.
For the demonstration of the train, the year 2028 is set, and partial operation of the train from Valenzuela to North Avenue shall be accomplished also in 2028. By 2029, the train can be extended up to Ortigas area, and by 2031 to 2032, the BGC train can operate.
