The Department of Transportation (Department of Transportation) reported that the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) have generated more than 31,000 jobs for Filipino workers as construction of the major infrastructure projects continues under the government’s Build Better More program.

The DOTr said it has directed global contractors and partners to prioritize hiring Filipino workers, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to maximize local employment opportunities from big-ticket transport projects.

To support this, the agency works with foreign contractors in hiring Filipino engineers, architects, and personnel for project management offices and consultancy teams, while local workers are also employed in construction sites through contractors and subcontractors.

Based on DOTr data, around 10,122 Filipinos are currently employed in the Metro Manila Subway Project, while about 21,031 workers are engaged in the North-South Commuter Railway project.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the government continues to encourage foreign contractors to hire locally, citing the skills and competence of Filipino workers.

Workers engaged in the projects also shared that the jobs have provided better income and improved financial stability compared to previous employment, allowing them to support their families more effectively.

Meanwhile, a Metro Manila Subway Project finance officer said working on a government infrastructure project has also allowed for better work-life balance and more time with family.

Once completed, the 147-kilometer NSCR is expected to cut travel time between Clark, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna by up to two hours and serve around 800,000 passengers daily.

The 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway, spanning Valenzuela to Parañaque with a spur line to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is expected to significantly reduce travel time to about 45 minutes and accommodate more than 500,000 passengers daily upon full operation.