9 mega projects in Manila: Subway, airports, rail, bay bridge, reclamation

Manila: Hold on to your jeepney seats — Metro Manila is going through a glow-up like no other. 

We’re talking futuristic subways, overhead metro trains, eco-friendly cities, new reclamation projects, and jaw-dropping bridges. 

Mega projects

These aren’t just about steel and concrete — they’re about transforming how millions of people live, work, and move.

From cutting commute times to making the city smarter and greener, the future is rolling in — and it’s looking epic.

Metro Manila, a thriving capital sandwiched by the bay in the west and Laguna Lake in the east, is undergoing a transformation quite unlike anything we’ve seen before. 

It is not just the capital region — it’s the heartbeat of the Philippines. With a whopping GDP of $192.6 billion, it’s the fourth-richest city in Southeast Asia and one of the top 100 globally. 

Here come the game-changers:

#1. Metro Manila Subway:

Say goodbye to traffic jams! The country’s first-ever underground railway is on the way, and it’s going to be a total game-changer. Smooth, fast, and efficient, this subway will finally give commuters a break — and a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively).

#2. New Manila International Airport:

Imagine an airport so massive, it can welcome up to 200 million passengers a year being built in Bulacan. It’s not just an airport — it’s an entire aerotropolis, complete with new neighbourhoods, business hubs, and even a seaport. This $15-billion behemoth will take the Philippines to global aviation heights.

NMIA is a build-operate-transfer (BOT) project, meaning it will be developed, operated, and eventually transferred to the government. The under-construction aviation gateway is being developed by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), with the aim to address the current congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and support the country's economic growth and tourism. 

#3. Sangley Point International Airport:

Coming in hot is Sangley, another planned high-tech air hub in Cavite. With sleek terminals and international partners onboard (Samsung and Munich Airport), this one's all about efficiency and convenience. Plus, it’s set to create tonnes of jobs and boost the local economy.

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has already approved the joint venture (Cavite provincial government and the SPIA consortium). The private group includes Cavitex Holdings, Manila-based House of Investments, Samsung C&T, MacroAsia Corp., Munich Airport International GmbH, and Ove Arup & Partners Hongkong Ltd.

The key to Sanglay: a Manila road link. Will it fly? Well, many world capitals have multiple airports. Sangley's groundbreaking kicked off on October 14, 2020 (and phase 1 of the project, which includes the two runways and the terminal buildings of the new airport) began on March 18, 2022. It is planned to be completed by 2028.

#4. North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR):

This 163-km mega railway is about to make Luzon feel a whole lot smaller. Stretching from New Clark City to Calamba, this project is reviving rail travel in the country — and it’s expected to move over a million passengers a day.

The project's initial phase was approved in 2015, and construction began in 2019. Expected to cost $15.3 billion (₱873.62 billion), the line is the most expensive railway transportation project in the country. The entire system is expected to be completed by 2031. Some expect the project to help bring back the culture of rail in the Philippines. Train goals, anyone?

#5. Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge:

A drive that used to take 5 hours will soon take just 30 minutes thanks to this jaw-dropping 32-km bridge. It’s an engineering wonder that connects Bataan and Cavite over the sea, in a $3.84 billion (₱219.31 billion) mega bridge project easing congestion and boosting trade. It’s more than a bridge — it’s a time machine.

#6. MRT-7:

Zipping from North Avenue in Quezon City (with a link to MRT-3) to Bulacan, MRT-7 is the ultimate traffic-buster, with millions served along the way. With shiny new trains, a powerful transport hub, and plans to connect to the airport, this line is the superhero EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue didn’t know they needed.

The rollout of the 23-km MRT-7 project, stretching from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, has been delayed by right-of-way (ROW) snags (no surprise there).

As of end-March 2025, the MRT-7 Project (led by San Miguel Corp) is now 78.63% complete and targetted to be partially operational in 2026 and fully operational in 2028, as per the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

#7. SM New Bay City

One of the most ambitious projects is SM New Bay City, a massive development led by SM Prime Holdings Inc. This future-ready district spans 726 hectares and will feature three artificial islands engineered to withstand powerful earthquakes and typhoons.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the project includes green open spaces and world-class infrastructure, placing the Philippines in league with global cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney.

What makes this even more exciting: connectivity. The district will be integrated with a mass transport system — making access to the airport and Metro Manila’s key areas a breeze. Two of the three islands have been reclaimed.

#8. Harbor City

Another headline-grabbing development is Harbor City, often dubbed the “Manhattan of Manila Bay”. This 265-hectare eco-smart city is scheduled to emerge from the bay by 2025 and be fully completed in a few years. 

But it’s not just about skylines and skyscrapers. Harbor City’s design champions both blue and green infrastructure — leveraging waterways while restoring the bay’s natural ecosystems through abundant greenery and sustainable design.

At the helm are the Philippine Reclamation Authority, PHCC, and the globally renowned Dutch firm Royal Boskalis Westminster. They’ve already reclaimed over half the site, including its developments and amenities, are expected to be completed in 2028, bringing this bold vision closer to reality.

#9. Manila Waterfront City

There’s more — Manila Waterfront City is another reclamation project turning heads. Stretching over 318 hectares next to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), this waterfront hub is shaping up to be a vibrant center for arts, culture, and community.

Picture this: over 92,000 square meters of retail space, a sleek high-rise serviced apartments, boutique hotels, office buildings, floating pavilions, restaurants, and expansive open areas — including a festival plaza, a public park, a viewing deck, and an 800-metre pedestrian waterfront boulevard, with an architecture inspired nu the rice terraces of northern Luzon, blending Filipino heritage with futuristic design.

Cityscape evolving

Metro Manila isn't just growing — it’s evolving. These waterfront developments signal a future where urban innovation and smart design come together to create livable, iconic spaces.

It isn’t just construction — it’s transformation. As in game-changing projects.

It’s the Philippines stepping into the spotlight as a serious contender in Southeast Asia’s economic and infrastructure scene. These projects promise a future where cities are smarter, travel is faster, and life is better.