Tuesday, May 15, 2018

PHL, JICA finalize terms for MRT3 rehab

Philippine and Japanese official finalized last week the details of the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) to be financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) estimated that rehabilitating the mass rail system will cost an ¥34.480 billion or P16.985 billion.
“It will be largely funded by Japan but some admin fees or taxes are to be shouldered by PH,” MRT3 media relations officer Aly Narvaez said in a separate Viber message.

The project appraisal was conducted in technical discussions between the DOTr and JICA last week.

The rehabilitation will cover the trains, the power supply system, the radio system, the CCTV system, public address system, and the signaling system.

It will also cover the rail tracks, road rail vehicles, depot equipment, elevators and escalators, and other station building equipment.

The overall rehabilitation of the rail system is estimated to take 43 months—31 months for simultaneous rehabilitation and maintenance works, and 12 months for the defect liability period.

Separately, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the formal pledge by Japan is scheduled next month.

“June: Pledge by the Government of Japan, Exchange of Notes, and Loan Agreement signing,” he said in a Viber message to reporters on Tuesday.


Originally, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said earlier this year that May was the target for the Japanese to take over the maintenance and rehabilitation of MRT3.

The Philippines and Japan exchanged notes on a government-to-government agreement for Sumitomo Corp. and its technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to take over the maintenance and rehabilitation of the mass rail transit system.

Sumitomo and Mitsubishi were the original MRT3 maintenance providers from 2003 to 2012. Sumitomo also designed and built the system from 1998 to 2000.

“Yes, some findings from the due diligence system audit kasi needed further validation. Also, it was also timely na nacover ng system audit ang annual maintenance works ng MRT3 so the opportunity was maximized na rin,”  Narvaez noted.

“Around March kasi the system audit was complete na, but then there was the annual maintenance,” she said.

The DOTr said the project will also include tapping a Supervision Consultant who will facilitate the implementation of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and an Environment Monitoring Plan. —VDS, GMA News

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