Diaphragm wall perfection in the philippines

Metro Manila, Philippines – Ranked as the 8th most congested capital globally and recognized as one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas, Metro Manila is undergoing transformative transport development with the construction of its first underground rapid transit line, the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).

Jointly funded and managed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippine government, the project is designed to link Valenzuela City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), covering a distance of 33.1 km and comprising 14 stations and 2 depots. Subsequent phases will further expand the network, creating a seamless web of connections across the metropolis.

In late 2021, BAUER Philippines achieved a significant milestone by securing the contract for the diaphragm wall and kingpost construction for the North Avenue Station (NAS), the country's first-ever subway station. As the only station open for bidding at that time, BAUER Philippines faced stiff competition from other deep well (DW) contractors. However, through strategic planning and an unwavering commitment to excellence, BAUER Philippines emerged victorious, setting the stage for a long-term partnership with the main contractor, Shimizu Takenaka Fujita EEI JV (STFEJV).

BAUER Philippines' approach centered on delivering NAS with exceptional performance and quality, positioning the station as a showcase of the company's excellence for other main contractors to witness. With a focus on fairness, professionalism, and operational efficiency, BAUER Philippines built a reputation that not only satisfied clients but also distinguished the company from its competitors.

Building on the success of NAS, BAUER Philippines secured contracts for an additional five stations, bringing the total to six out of the eight available stations and solidifying partnerships with major players like STFEJV.

With the trust gained from all stakeholders involved in the first station (NAS), BAUER Philippines successfully persuaded the MMSP Employer and Engineer to adopt the new-to-the-region joint technique known as the overcut method, presenting a more efficient alternative to the project-specified Stop-end method. The introduction of this method resulted in cost and time benefits for both the main contractor and BAUER Philippines, aligning with the win-win philosophy that sets BAUER Philippines apart from other diaphragm wall contractors.

The overcut method was successfully employed in the Quirino Highway Station (QHS) project for Shimizu Takenaka Fujita EEI JV and the Camp Aguinaldo Station (CAS) project for Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., both completed by November 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

BAUER Philippines has also completed the retaining wall field trials along the Tullahan River for the MMSP Valenzuela Depot and is currently finishing the fourth station on the list, Shaw Boulevard Station (SBS), for Tokyu Tobishima Megawide JV.

With two more awarded stations—Tandang Sora Station and Anonas Station—set to commence in Q4 of this year, BAUER Philippines has a confident outlook on securing five more awards for subway stations scheduled in 2025 and 2026.