Rail connectivity drives growth in bay area district

As EDSA braces for rehabilitation and commuters continue to endure the daily grind of traffic congestion, one solution is quietly but powerfully reshaping how Metro Manila moves: rail connectivity.

According to the latest  TomTom Traffic Index, Metro Manila’s congestion level averages 41%, with hotspots like Pasig, Makati, and Quezon City ballooning to over 120% during rush hour. For the average commuter, that means more than four days and seven hours lost each year in traffic; time that could have been spent with loved ones, on hobbies, or simply resting.

For D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, Inc. (PSE: DMW), developer of Aseana City, this urban reality was never just a statistic but  was a challenge worth planning for.

“At DMWAI, we believe cities should empower people to live better, not wear them down.” said Buds Wenceslao, Chief Executive Officer, DMWAI. “We saw the need early on to build not just a business district but a truly connected community. That’s why we anchored Aseana City on  transit-oriented developments ensuring direct access to the rail system from the beginning.”

Aseana City now directly benefits from the newly operational LRT-1 Cavite Extension that includes the Redemptorist Aseana Station which brings commuters straight into the district. Through this extension, workers, residents, and visitors can now travel swiftly across five cities - Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque, bypassing the gridlock that defines much of Metro Manila. The Las Pinas and Cavite Stations are expected to open in the near future.

A City That Moves with You

In contrast to many areas in the capital where infrastructure was added as an afterthought, Aseana City was thoughtfully masterplanned. Wide pedestrian pathways, interconnected open spaces, and mixed-use zones work together to support a walkable, well-connected lifestyle. This emphasis on seamless mobility means that getting to work, meeting friends, or even just running errands feels easier and more intuitive whether you're commuting via LRT-1 or simply walking through the district’s vibrant climate protected streets.

“Accessibility isn’t just about transportation. It’s about creating more time, less stress, and better quality of life,” Wenceslao added. “Every minute not spent in traffic is a minute returned to people’s lives.”

In a metro where hours lost in traffic are often accepted as the norm, Aseana City proves that a different kind of city is possible—one that flows, connects, and prioritizes its people. As more urban districts look for ways to ease Metro Manila’s congestion and support work-life balance, Aseana City offers a powerful example: plan around transit, invest in flow, and build for people.

Because when a city moves better, so do its people.