The P22.06-billion MRT3 rehabilitation project will mostly be funded by an P18-billion loan from the Japanese government
After months of delay, the governments of the Philippines and Japan are set to sign a loan agreement for the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) on November 7.
The signing of the P18-billion deal with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was confirmed by Railways Undersecretary Timothy John Batan in a press briefing on Wednesday, October 31.
"The signing of the loan agreement was finalized, and the agreed date is November 7, so it's in a few days," Batan said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Back in August, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) approved the P22.06-billion MRT3 rehabilitation project.
It will mostly be funded by the Japanese loan, while the remaining amount will be shouldered by the Philippine government. The project is expected to be completed by the 1st quarter of 2021.
Entry of maintenance provider: Batan added that Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) returned as maintenance provider starting October 15, ahead of the loan deal signing.
Sumitomo-MHI built and designed the MRT3 railway system from 1998 to 2000, and maintained it until 2012.
"The return of our Japanese maintenance provider started October 15. They agreed even in advance of our loan agreement [signing] and Exchange of Notes and contract. This is the commitment of the government of Japan to accelerate the process," Batan said.
More trains, eventually? Asked when more trains would be deployed, Batan did not give a definite timeline.
The MRT3 began deploying the controversial China-made Dalian train on October 27, with an initial 3 train cars introduced to the system.
Batan said all 48 Dalian train coaches will have to undergo a 1,000-kilometer test during off-revenue hours, other functionality tests and examinations by Germany's TUV Rheinland and Japan's Toshiba Infrastructure Systems, and a final validation by the Philippine National Railways.
Of the 48, only 14 have completed the test run. This already includes the 3 train cars introduced to the MRT3.
https://www.rappler.com/business/215650-philippines-japan-sign-mrt3-rehabilitation-loan-deal-november-7-2018
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
PH to sign P18.5B-loan pact with Japan for MRT-3 rehab on Nov 7
The Philippines and Japan are set to sign a loan agreement for the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail System-3 (MRT-3) on November 7, Transport Undersecretary Timothy John Batan disclosed Wednesday.
“Na-finalize na ‘yung signing date natin for both the exchange of notes and the loan agreement on November 7, which is going to be next week,” Batan said in a press conference.
Last August, the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (Neda ICC-CabCom) approved the P22.1-billion MRT-3 rehabilitation project, which is expected to start in the third quarter of this year and seen to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
In September, the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) offered a 38.1-billion yen (about P18.5 billion) loan to rehabilitate MRT-3.
The rehabilitation of MRT-3, which will be implemented by the DOTr, will increase the number of train sets in operation per hour from 15 to 18, while also increasing the maximum speed to 60 kilometers per hour and decreasing the headway to 200 seconds.
READ: Aging MRT 3 set for rehab as PH, Japan move to sign loan terms
Batan also said that Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) returned as the maintenance provider of MRT-3 starting October 15, even if it was ahead of the loan agreement signing, just to speed up the process.
“The return of our Japanese rehabilitation maintenance provider has started last October 15. They agreed na kahit na in advance of our loan agreement, our exchange of notes and contract. Ito ang commitment ng government of Japan to accelerate the process,” Batan said. /kga
https://business.inquirer.net/259827/ph-to-sign-p18-5b-loan-pact-with-japan-for-mrt-3-rehab-on-nov-7
“Na-finalize na ‘yung signing date natin for both the exchange of notes and the loan agreement on November 7, which is going to be next week,” Batan said in a press conference.
Last August, the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (Neda ICC-CabCom) approved the P22.1-billion MRT-3 rehabilitation project, which is expected to start in the third quarter of this year and seen to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
In September, the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) offered a 38.1-billion yen (about P18.5 billion) loan to rehabilitate MRT-3.
The rehabilitation of MRT-3, which will be implemented by the DOTr, will increase the number of train sets in operation per hour from 15 to 18, while also increasing the maximum speed to 60 kilometers per hour and decreasing the headway to 200 seconds.
READ: Aging MRT 3 set for rehab as PH, Japan move to sign loan terms
Batan also said that Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) returned as the maintenance provider of MRT-3 starting October 15, even if it was ahead of the loan agreement signing, just to speed up the process.
“The return of our Japanese rehabilitation maintenance provider has started last October 15. They agreed na kahit na in advance of our loan agreement, our exchange of notes and contract. Ito ang commitment ng government of Japan to accelerate the process,” Batan said. /kga
https://business.inquirer.net/259827/ph-to-sign-p18-5b-loan-pact-with-japan-for-mrt-3-rehab-on-nov-7
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