With its comprehensive rehabilitation underway and ahead of schedule, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 is on track to return to its original, high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that, since the Duterte administration took office in 2016, vital steps were taken to put the major rail line back on track.
These include the elimination of underperforming contractual engagements, establishment of a government transition team, and procurement of a proven rehabilitation and maintenance service provider.
“The entire process is taking some time, but we implore the public to trust us that this is the right process to ultimately fix the longstanding issues with the MRT-3,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said.
“We are not ignorant to the suffering of our commuters. We hear you, we are doing something about it, we are already experiencing gains, and you will experience further a very dramatic change in the rail service in two years’ time,” Batan added.
Through this massive rehabilitation project, the DOTr MRT-3 expects to raise the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double the train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the headway or waiting time from 7-10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes.Train capacity will likewise double to 650,000 passengers daily.
Contract of underperforming BURI terminated
In November 6, 2017, the DOTr officially terminated its contract with MRT-3’s maintenance service provider, Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), which was engaged by the previous administration.
BURI’s termination was predicated on its poor performance, failure to ensure availability of required number of trains, failure to implement a feasible procurement plan for spare parts, and non-compliance with the requirements of a complete and up-to-date Computerized Management System.
From 2016 to 2017, BURI was only able to overhaul three freight cars instead of 43 freight cars.
Establishment of Maintenance Transition Team
Following the contract termination with BURI, the DOTr established a Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) that temporarily took over the maintenance of the railway system, while the procurement of a new maintenance service provider was being processed.
A month after its establishment, the MTT, through its Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), procured 18,579 necessary spare parts, broken down as follows: rolling stock– 9,515; tracks– 7,776; Overhead Catenary System (OCS)– 1,109; and power– 179.
The MTT also procured 78 brand-new air conditioning units (ACUs), 60 units of which have been delivered and already installed in train coaches. The remaining 18 ACUs are set to arrive in August.
Dramatic drop in unloading incidents and service interruptions
Under the MTT supervision, passenger unloading incidents and service interruptions continue to drop.
In 2018, passenger unloading incidents plunged to 57 in 2018 – an immense improvement from 417 passenger unloading incidents posted in 2015; 586 in 2016; and 463 in 2017.
Service interruptions have also considerably decreased in recent years. From 55 service interruptions in 2015; 63 in 2016; 81 in 2017 – service interruptions for 2018 have numbered down to just 17.
For the January-June period alone, the MRT-3 recorded 14 unloading incidents in 2019 – a massive reduction compared to 180 unloading incidents in the first half-year period in 2015; 333 in 2016; 200 in 2017; and 49 in 2018.
Service interruptions for the January-June period, as well, continue to taper. This year saw 12 service interruptions for the first half, a substantial improvement from 25 service interruptions recorded for the same period in 2015; 31 in 2016 and 2017; and 13 in 2018.
Sumitomo returns as MRT-3 rehabilitation and maintenance service provider
Last November 8, 2018, the Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of MRT-3.
The DOTr chose to engage the services of Sumitomo Corporation, the original maintenance provider of the rail line, given its proven expertise in rail maintenance. Sumitomo tapped its technical partners, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and TES Philippines, to assist in the endeavor.
Sumitomo-MHI-TESP was fully mobilized for the system overhaul and comprehensive rehabilitation on May1, 2019, following the handover from MTT. As early as end-2018, however, the Sumitomo-MHI-TESP has already conducted advance transition works for the rehabilitation project.
Under the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP will undertake the overhaul of all 72 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) of the MRT-3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signalling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT-3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The project will last for 43 months, with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
Arrival of spare parts ahead of scheduled delivery dates
In February 2019, prior to receiving any advance payment and as an act of faith in the Duterte administration and in the leadership of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP began procurement of tracks, train parts, and other necessary components for the comprehensive rehabilitation of MRT-3.
Following the successful factory test conducted by the Factory Acceptance Team (FAT) for rails headed by MRT-3 Director for Operations Michael Capati at Nippon Steel in Fukuoka, Japan, over 50% of new rails have been shipped and are due to arrive to arrive in the country between this month and August, several months earlier than their scheduled date of delivery.
Rail replacement works for the whole stretch of the MRT-3 mainline will begin in November 2019, and will be completed by February 2021.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Tugade last June 29, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP also announced that spare parts are due to arrive ahead of schedule.
Rail vehicles (with refurbishment), rail parts, and track parts will arrive this month, three months ahead of scheduled delivery date.
Power supply equipment/OCS will arrive in August 2019, a month ahead of the scheduled delivery date. The Signaling System will also arrive in August, two months earlier than scheduled.
Road rail vehicle / depot equipment will arrive in September, a month ahead of the scheduled delivery date. Meanwhile, the Communication Systems will arrive in December 2019, a month ahead of schedule.
Various rehabilitation works begin
Shortly after the mobilization of Sumitomo-MHI-TESP, various rolling stock rehabilitation works have commenced. These include wheel truing or profiling through the newly repaired wheel lathe machine.
After five years of inoperability, the lathe machine was utilized once again following its repair in March. The use of a lathe machine would cut hours from the time usually spent for reshaping the wheels of LRVs.
With the repair of MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine last March, and the upcoming replacement of all MRT-3 mainline tracks, the trains will be running more smoothly and with less vibration.
Vibration is a bane to mechanical and electrical equipment, and is one of the causes of MRT-3 train breakdowns in the past.
“Dahil baku-bako ‘yung mga riles natin at dahil baku-bako ang gulong ng tren natin, nagiging matagtag ang takbo ng MRT-3, at ‘yang tagtag na ‘yanay isa doon sa pinakamalaking root causes bakit tayo nagkakaaberya. Kasi isipin mo na lang, marami kang mechanical, marami kang electrical components sa loob ng mga bagon, pero ang disenyo naman ng mga tren ay tumakbo sa makinis na riles at makinis na gulong. Kapag excessive ‘yung nagiging tagtag dahil sa baku-bakong riles at gulong, talaga namang maaapektuhan ang reliability ng ating mga tren,” Batan explained.
After MRT-3 train wheels are smoothened using the now-operational wheel lathe machine and once train tracks are smoothened following mainline tracks replacement, vibrations will be substantially reduced, resulting in fewer vibration-related mechanical and electrical breakdowns.
Meanwhile, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP also announced that the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) has been put in place for a more efficient railway operation.
Station Facility Rehabilitation Works also commenced in June, while Mitsubishi Escalator Rehabilitation Works in stations started last May. Schindler Escalator Rehabilitation will commence soon.
According to the DOTr MRT-3, all these works should have been accomplished years ago.
“Naghahabol po tayo ng oras para sa lahat ng mga taon na nasayang nang hindi nare-rehabilitate ang MRT-3.
Humihingi kami ng tiis at pasensya pa sa publiko para magawa lahat ng ito. Ang mahalaga po ay may ginagawa tayo. Umuusad ang pagpapabuti sa ating MRT,” Batan said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/05/mrt-3-on-track-to-return-to-high-grade-design-state/
Friday, July 5, 2019
Saturday, June 29, 2019
LRT adjusts schedule for systems upgrading
Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is making adjustments on the operating hours of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 starting late next month to accommodate systems upgrading.
Starting July 29, LRMC said the last train would depart from Baclaran, Parañaque (northbound) at 9:30 p.m. and from Roosevelt Ave. in Quezon City (southbound) at 9:45 p.m. every night.
First trips schedule remains at 4:30 a.m. for both directions, the company said.
At present, the last northbound commercial train leaves Baclaran terminal for Roosevelt Station at 9:30 p.m., while the last southbound commercial train leaves Roosevelt Station for Baclaran Station at 10 p.m.
LRMC operations director Bobby San Jose said the system upgrade and rehabilitation work will include the replacement of the auxiliary power supply and train control and monitoring system, among many others.
This developed as commuters of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) complained yesterday morning of delayed trains apparently brought about by a still undetermined technical problem at its Ortigas station.
The MRT-3 said that the trains were running slower than their usual travel speed before noon after a southbound train suffered a technical problem upon reaching Ortigas station.
Commuters waited for their trains until the operations normalized at around 11:55 a.m.
San Jose said the system upgrade will be undertaken for improved safety and reliability of train service.
“We want to give our commuters a quality transportation that they deserve. And to be able to provide them a safe, reliable, efficient and comfortable journey, we need to update and upgrade our signaling system,” San Jose said.
Despite the train timetable adjustment, LRMC said the LRT-1 system would still have more than 17 operating hours that is compliant to the minimum timetabled revenue service hours on normal weekdays.
LRMC targets to finish all maintenance and rehabilitation works by October next year.
The LRT-1 currently has 20 stations spanning from Roosevelt Station to Baclaran.
It is operated by the LRMC consortium composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.
The consortium was awarded the public-private partnership project to operate, maintain and extend the LRT-1 in 2014.
An extension being planned will stretch LRT-1 over 33 kilometers from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Niog, Bacoor in Cavite City, and is seen to cut travel time from Bacoor to Central Station in Manila to 45 minutes, and to Roosevelt Station in one hour and 10 minutes, even during rush hours. – With Robertzon Ramirez
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/06/29/1930486/lrt-adjusts-schedule-systems-upgrading
Starting July 29, LRMC said the last train would depart from Baclaran, Parañaque (northbound) at 9:30 p.m. and from Roosevelt Ave. in Quezon City (southbound) at 9:45 p.m. every night.
First trips schedule remains at 4:30 a.m. for both directions, the company said.
At present, the last northbound commercial train leaves Baclaran terminal for Roosevelt Station at 9:30 p.m., while the last southbound commercial train leaves Roosevelt Station for Baclaran Station at 10 p.m.
LRMC operations director Bobby San Jose said the system upgrade and rehabilitation work will include the replacement of the auxiliary power supply and train control and monitoring system, among many others.
This developed as commuters of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) complained yesterday morning of delayed trains apparently brought about by a still undetermined technical problem at its Ortigas station.
The MRT-3 said that the trains were running slower than their usual travel speed before noon after a southbound train suffered a technical problem upon reaching Ortigas station.
Commuters waited for their trains until the operations normalized at around 11:55 a.m.
San Jose said the system upgrade will be undertaken for improved safety and reliability of train service.
“We want to give our commuters a quality transportation that they deserve. And to be able to provide them a safe, reliable, efficient and comfortable journey, we need to update and upgrade our signaling system,” San Jose said.
Despite the train timetable adjustment, LRMC said the LRT-1 system would still have more than 17 operating hours that is compliant to the minimum timetabled revenue service hours on normal weekdays.
LRMC targets to finish all maintenance and rehabilitation works by October next year.
The LRT-1 currently has 20 stations spanning from Roosevelt Station to Baclaran.
It is operated by the LRMC consortium composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.
The consortium was awarded the public-private partnership project to operate, maintain and extend the LRT-1 in 2014.
An extension being planned will stretch LRT-1 over 33 kilometers from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Niog, Bacoor in Cavite City, and is seen to cut travel time from Bacoor to Central Station in Manila to 45 minutes, and to Roosevelt Station in one hour and 10 minutes, even during rush hours. – With Robertzon Ramirez
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/06/29/1930486/lrt-adjusts-schedule-systems-upgrading
Thursday, June 27, 2019
LRT-1 EDSA station expansion in the works
LIGHT RAIL Manila Corp. (LRMC), operator of the LRT Line 1, announced yesterday that it has started expanding the EDSA station to improve safety and convenience for passengers. “We will widen the passenger concourse area of EDSA Station to more than 400 square meters — which is more than five times the current floor area of 70 square meters,” LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Juan F. Alfonso said in a statement. The EDSA Station, which serves more than 52,000 passengers on weekdays, is the LRT-1’s second busiest stop. “Queuing areas, and unpaid areas will be expanded to handle increased passenger flow,” Mr. Alfonso said, noting that the station “will only get busier once the Cavite Extension is finished, with an expected 50% increase in ridership.” LRMC has recently started the construction of the 12-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension. Phase 1, covering five stations from Pasay City to Parañaque City, is expected to be completed in 2022.
https://www.bworldonline.com/lrt-1-edsa-station-expansion-in-the-works/
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
House panels adopt bill creating Department of Water
Two House panels on Tuesday jointly adopted the proposal of outgoing Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo creating a Department of Water amid the new round of water service interruptions hounding several parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas.
In their meeting, the House Committees on Public Works and Highways and Natural Resources adopted House Bill 8068 which seeks the creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management.
The measure primarily aims to strengthen and coordinate water resource planning and policy-making to make the allocation and use of water resources sustainable and fair.
Bulacan Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, who presided over the meeting, stressed the importance of putting up a Department of Water which will manage the water resources in the country.
"The chairman welcomes the proposal earlier na magkaroon tayo ng Department of Water. Yan ay talagang long overdue na kailangan na kailangan ng bansang Pilipinas kasi nakikita naman natin yung mismanagement ng tubig," he said.
Sy-Alvarado also decried the practice of releasing excess water on dams when they are overflowing.
"Kapag tag-ulan, kung kailan maraming tubig, nagpapakawala tayo ng tubig, pinapakawalan sa dagat yung tubig na yaman ng Pilipinas na dapat ay kinakalong natin sa panahon na wala tayong tubig," he said.
"Ito dapat yung pinapagamit natin sa mamamayan at magsasaka. Pero sa panahon naman na paggamit ng tubig, wala tayong maibigay na tubig," he added.
Several parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province were hit by a water crisis beginning March this year, which Manila Water, the provider of water to the east concession zone of the area, attributed to the low water supply in the La Mesa Reserve.
Last month, Manila Water President and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz reported that while there was still a deficit situation, their water service delivery has improved after they were able to activate the Cardona Water Treatment Plant and harvested supplies from deepwells.
However come June, the water level in Angat Dam has gone below critical level, which resulted in another round of water service interruptions.
Sy-Alvarado suggested the creation of more dams in the surrounding areas of Metro Manila to supplement the water reserves in Angat Dam.
"Kailangan natin na magdagdag ng marami pang dams, hindi lang siguro sa lugar ng Quezon, pati sa lugar ng Pampanga at Nueva Ecija, kailangan natin ng mga water embankment at dams. At kung makapagdadagdag pa tayo sa Bulacan, dagdagan natin para yung capacity ng Angat ay madagdagan natin," he said.
"Pero kahit dagdag tayo nang dagdag, kailangan pa rin natin ng iisang sistema kung saan lahat tayo ay nagkakaisa at nakakapagtulungan," he added.
Local Water Utilities Administration chief Jeci Lapus has also proposed the creation of a Department of Water as a long-term solution to the water crisis in Metro Manila.
In the meantime, Lapus suggested that surrounding water districts could assist Metro Manila in providing water to consumers in the metropolis.
Considering that the 17th Congress is about to close, Arroyo, at the beginning of the hearing, asked the committee to endorse the measure creating the Department of Water to the next Congress should they approve it.
"If our committee members will agree to come up with a committee report, they can endorse the creation of the Department of Water to this example of a crisis," she said. — RSJ, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/698841/house-panels-adopt-bill-creating-department-of-water/story/
In their meeting, the House Committees on Public Works and Highways and Natural Resources adopted House Bill 8068 which seeks the creation of the Department of Water, Irrigation, Sewage and Sanitation Resource Management.
House joint panels hold oversight meeting to discuss looming water supply shortage. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/AMsMsUgtba— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) June 25, 2019
The measure primarily aims to strengthen and coordinate water resource planning and policy-making to make the allocation and use of water resources sustainable and fair.
Bulacan Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, who presided over the meeting, stressed the importance of putting up a Department of Water which will manage the water resources in the country.
"The chairman welcomes the proposal earlier na magkaroon tayo ng Department of Water. Yan ay talagang long overdue na kailangan na kailangan ng bansang Pilipinas kasi nakikita naman natin yung mismanagement ng tubig," he said.
Sy-Alvarado also decried the practice of releasing excess water on dams when they are overflowing.
"Kapag tag-ulan, kung kailan maraming tubig, nagpapakawala tayo ng tubig, pinapakawalan sa dagat yung tubig na yaman ng Pilipinas na dapat ay kinakalong natin sa panahon na wala tayong tubig," he said.
"Ito dapat yung pinapagamit natin sa mamamayan at magsasaka. Pero sa panahon naman na paggamit ng tubig, wala tayong maibigay na tubig," he added.
Several parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province were hit by a water crisis beginning March this year, which Manila Water, the provider of water to the east concession zone of the area, attributed to the low water supply in the La Mesa Reserve.
Last month, Manila Water President and CEO Ferdinand dela Cruz reported that while there was still a deficit situation, their water service delivery has improved after they were able to activate the Cardona Water Treatment Plant and harvested supplies from deepwells.
However come June, the water level in Angat Dam has gone below critical level, which resulted in another round of water service interruptions.
Sy-Alvarado suggested the creation of more dams in the surrounding areas of Metro Manila to supplement the water reserves in Angat Dam.
"Kailangan natin na magdagdag ng marami pang dams, hindi lang siguro sa lugar ng Quezon, pati sa lugar ng Pampanga at Nueva Ecija, kailangan natin ng mga water embankment at dams. At kung makapagdadagdag pa tayo sa Bulacan, dagdagan natin para yung capacity ng Angat ay madagdagan natin," he said.
"Pero kahit dagdag tayo nang dagdag, kailangan pa rin natin ng iisang sistema kung saan lahat tayo ay nagkakaisa at nakakapagtulungan," he added.
Local Water Utilities Administration chief Jeci Lapus has also proposed the creation of a Department of Water as a long-term solution to the water crisis in Metro Manila.
In the meantime, Lapus suggested that surrounding water districts could assist Metro Manila in providing water to consumers in the metropolis.
Considering that the 17th Congress is about to close, Arroyo, at the beginning of the hearing, asked the committee to endorse the measure creating the Department of Water to the next Congress should they approve it.
"If our committee members will agree to come up with a committee report, they can endorse the creation of the Department of Water to this example of a crisis," she said. — RSJ, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/698841/house-panels-adopt-bill-creating-department-of-water/story/
‘Too many’ airport plans? Not really
TOO many airport development plans? The chief of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Monday allayed fears the government is getting disorganized with the pile of airport projects it has in the pipeline.
At the annual meeting of the Makati Business Club, BCDA President and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon said the government is taking it one proposal at a time in constructing new and expanding existing airports. He asserted that authorities are not panicking in trying to resolve the congestion at the country’s main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
The business community raised before Dizon its concern that the government might be all over the place in trying to resolve the Naia congestion.
It feels the government’s strategy in building and expanding airports is scattered and nearly disorganized. Further, there is apparently no clear message what will be secondary to Naia: Clark International Airport in Pampanga, Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite or the proposed New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
“We have to build more, whether that be the expansion of Naia or the construction of Sangley airport. The attitude of the government now is, let’s try to process all of them. However, Clark is a little different, as it is not a plan because it is already there,” Dizon explained.
“The master plan is done, so it is really just a matter of execution. It is about proper phasing and swiftness of execution,” he added.
Most viable
Dizon said the Clark airport is the most viable alternative now that its passenger and flight counts are jumping. In 2016, there were only about 50,000 domestic travelers who used Clark, but this is projected to hit 2.5 million local passengers
this year.
Domestic flights surged to over 500 per week this year, from six flights per week in 2016. In a similar trend, international flights doubled to over 240 per week, from 120 per week. Such spike in flights is seen to boost the passenger traffic.
“The first phase is slated to be done next year and our plan after the opening of the terminal next year is we immediately move to the second phase,” the BCDA chief said.
“The construction of the second runway and the expansion of the existing terminal should double our 10-million-passenger-per-year capacity. With this, we are well on our way to expanding Clark to its ultimate design, which is to be able to receive 80 million passengers annually,” he added.
The government is, meanwhile, assessing a 15-year tender by a group of firms that call themselves the Naia Consortium to upgrade and operate Naia.
It is also expanding the capabilities of the Clark airport. On the other hand, San Miguel Corp. will be constructing the P735.6-billion Bulacan gateway in response to the government’s call to the private sector to help decongest Naia.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/06/25/too-many-airport-plans-not-really/
At the annual meeting of the Makati Business Club, BCDA President and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon said the government is taking it one proposal at a time in constructing new and expanding existing airports. He asserted that authorities are not panicking in trying to resolve the congestion at the country’s main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
The business community raised before Dizon its concern that the government might be all over the place in trying to resolve the Naia congestion.
It feels the government’s strategy in building and expanding airports is scattered and nearly disorganized. Further, there is apparently no clear message what will be secondary to Naia: Clark International Airport in Pampanga, Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite or the proposed New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
“We have to build more, whether that be the expansion of Naia or the construction of Sangley airport. The attitude of the government now is, let’s try to process all of them. However, Clark is a little different, as it is not a plan because it is already there,” Dizon explained.
“The master plan is done, so it is really just a matter of execution. It is about proper phasing and swiftness of execution,” he added.
Most viable
Dizon said the Clark airport is the most viable alternative now that its passenger and flight counts are jumping. In 2016, there were only about 50,000 domestic travelers who used Clark, but this is projected to hit 2.5 million local passengers
this year.
Domestic flights surged to over 500 per week this year, from six flights per week in 2016. In a similar trend, international flights doubled to over 240 per week, from 120 per week. Such spike in flights is seen to boost the passenger traffic.
“The first phase is slated to be done next year and our plan after the opening of the terminal next year is we immediately move to the second phase,” the BCDA chief said.
“The construction of the second runway and the expansion of the existing terminal should double our 10-million-passenger-per-year capacity. With this, we are well on our way to expanding Clark to its ultimate design, which is to be able to receive 80 million passengers annually,” he added.
The government is, meanwhile, assessing a 15-year tender by a group of firms that call themselves the Naia Consortium to upgrade and operate Naia.
It is also expanding the capabilities of the Clark airport. On the other hand, San Miguel Corp. will be constructing the P735.6-billion Bulacan gateway in response to the government’s call to the private sector to help decongest Naia.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/06/25/too-many-airport-plans-not-really/
Friday, June 21, 2019
New MRT-3 rails from Japan to arrive by Q3 2019
By Aerol John Pateña
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday said the new rails from Japan are expected to arrive in the Philippines within the third quarter of this year amid the ongoing rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3).
“Over 50 percent of the rails are ready for shipment from Japan, and are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the third quarter of this year (July - August 2019) — several months earlier than its scheduled date of delivery,” the DOTr said in a statement.
Upon arrival at the Port of Manila, the Nippon Steel-made rails will be delivered and prepared for installation at the tracks’ laydown yard near the Parañaque Integrated Transport Exchange.
The DOTr said it expects the MRT-3 trains to be running smoothly with the repair of its wheel lathe machine last March and the upcoming replacement of all its mainline tracks.
“With the repair of MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine last March and the upcoming replacement of all of MRT-3’s mainline tracks, MRT-3’s will be running smoother and with less vibration. Vibration is one of the enemies of any mechanical and electrical equipment, and is one of the causes of MRT-3’s breakdowns in the past,” the DOTr’s statement read.
The DOTr’s Factory Acceptance Test team headed by MRT Director for Operations Michael Capati, accompanied by Asian Development Bank rail expert Peter Raeside and TES Philippines chairman Kiyoshi Morita, visited Japanese steel firm Nippon Steel in Fukuoka, Japan last Thursday to inspect the new rails that will be installed on the MRT tracks.
The consortium of Sumitomo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and TES Philippines (Sumitomo-MHI-TESP) said earlier parts of the light rail vehicles for the railway system will arrive in July while tracks and signaling components are set to be delivered in August.
Sumitomo-MHI-TESP will undertake the overhaul of all 72 light rail vehicles of the MRT-3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT-3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The MRT rehabilitation project is seen to increase the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double the train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, reduce by half the headway or waiting time from 7-10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes and increase train capacity from an average of 300,000 passengers per day to 650,000 passengers daily.
The project is expected to last for 43 months with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
The Sumitomo-MHI-TESP took over the maintenance and rehabilitation of the MRT-3 last May from the MRT Maintenance Transition Team of the DOTr. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072999
 |
| JAPANESE RAILS. Rails manufactured by Japanese steel firm Nippon Steel are set to arrive in the country by third quarter of this year as part of ongoing rehabilitation activities of the MRT-3. (Photo courtesy of Department of Transportation) |
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday said the new rails from Japan are expected to arrive in the Philippines within the third quarter of this year amid the ongoing rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3).
“Over 50 percent of the rails are ready for shipment from Japan, and are expected to arrive in the Philippines in the third quarter of this year (July - August 2019) — several months earlier than its scheduled date of delivery,” the DOTr said in a statement.
Upon arrival at the Port of Manila, the Nippon Steel-made rails will be delivered and prepared for installation at the tracks’ laydown yard near the Parañaque Integrated Transport Exchange.
The DOTr said it expects the MRT-3 trains to be running smoothly with the repair of its wheel lathe machine last March and the upcoming replacement of all its mainline tracks.
“With the repair of MRT-3’s wheel lathe machine last March and the upcoming replacement of all of MRT-3’s mainline tracks, MRT-3’s will be running smoother and with less vibration. Vibration is one of the enemies of any mechanical and electrical equipment, and is one of the causes of MRT-3’s breakdowns in the past,” the DOTr’s statement read.
The DOTr’s Factory Acceptance Test team headed by MRT Director for Operations Michael Capati, accompanied by Asian Development Bank rail expert Peter Raeside and TES Philippines chairman Kiyoshi Morita, visited Japanese steel firm Nippon Steel in Fukuoka, Japan last Thursday to inspect the new rails that will be installed on the MRT tracks.
The consortium of Sumitomo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and TES Philippines (Sumitomo-MHI-TESP) said earlier parts of the light rail vehicles for the railway system will arrive in July while tracks and signaling components are set to be delivered in August.
Sumitomo-MHI-TESP will undertake the overhaul of all 72 light rail vehicles of the MRT-3, replace all mainline tracks, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, upgrade the signaling system, communications and CCTV systems, and repair all of MRT-3’s escalators and elevators, among other system repairs and improvements.
The MRT rehabilitation project is seen to increase the number of operating trains from 15 to 20 at peak hours, double the train operating speed from 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, reduce by half the headway or waiting time from 7-10 minutes to just 3.5 minutes and increase train capacity from an average of 300,000 passengers per day to 650,000 passengers daily.
The project is expected to last for 43 months with rehabilitation works slated for completion within the first 26 months.
The Sumitomo-MHI-TESP took over the maintenance and rehabilitation of the MRT-3 last May from the MRT Maintenance Transition Team of the DOTr. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072999
Japan commits 1.3 trillion yen to help build railways in PH
The Japanese government through its aid arm Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has pledged to lend 1.3 trillion yen (about P620 billion) to the Philippines to build more railways and ease traffic congestion.
Jica Philippines senior representative Kiyo Kawabuchi told a press conference Thursday the aid agency already committed official development assistance (ODA) loans worth 400-billion yen for railway projects.
In a statement, Jica said the following projects were now using Jica financing: Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension; LRT Line 2 East Extension; Metro Manila Subway; Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation; and North-South Commuter Railway.
Kawabuchi said Jica would have to add 900 billion yen more to its lending program for the Philippines to complete the ongoing railway projects.
“For the railway sector, in itself is quite a huge amount,” she noted.
Kawabuchi said Jica’s ODA in the Philippines’ railway sector “aims to impact on wealth being distributed to other areas outside Metro Manila through investments and jobs.”
“Once completed, these transport infrastructure projects will help realize the shared vision of Jica and the Philippines towards reduced traffic congestion, seamless mobility, and better quality of life of many Filipinos,” she said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) aimed to triple the total length of Metro Manila’s railway lines to 244 kilometers from 79 kilometers at present.
“Major cities in the world like Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and London have 400-800 kilometers of railways to keep up with urbanization and enhance mobility. The Philippines’ ongoing railway projects could therefore help address growing passenger demand and attract relevant investments into the country,” Jica said.
Jica estimates released last year showed traffic in Metro Manila was already equal to P3.5 billion in lost opportunities a day, up from P2.4 billion in 2014. —BEN O. DE VERA
https://business.inquirer.net/272961/japan-commits-1-3-trillion-yen-to-help-build-railways-in-ph
Jica Philippines senior representative Kiyo Kawabuchi told a press conference Thursday the aid agency already committed official development assistance (ODA) loans worth 400-billion yen for railway projects.
In a statement, Jica said the following projects were now using Jica financing: Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension; LRT Line 2 East Extension; Metro Manila Subway; Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation; and North-South Commuter Railway.
Kawabuchi said Jica would have to add 900 billion yen more to its lending program for the Philippines to complete the ongoing railway projects.
“For the railway sector, in itself is quite a huge amount,” she noted.
Kawabuchi said Jica’s ODA in the Philippines’ railway sector “aims to impact on wealth being distributed to other areas outside Metro Manila through investments and jobs.”
“Once completed, these transport infrastructure projects will help realize the shared vision of Jica and the Philippines towards reduced traffic congestion, seamless mobility, and better quality of life of many Filipinos,” she said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) aimed to triple the total length of Metro Manila’s railway lines to 244 kilometers from 79 kilometers at present.
“Major cities in the world like Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and London have 400-800 kilometers of railways to keep up with urbanization and enhance mobility. The Philippines’ ongoing railway projects could therefore help address growing passenger demand and attract relevant investments into the country,” Jica said.
Jica estimates released last year showed traffic in Metro Manila was already equal to P3.5 billion in lost opportunities a day, up from P2.4 billion in 2014. —BEN O. DE VERA
https://business.inquirer.net/272961/japan-commits-1-3-trillion-yen-to-help-build-railways-in-ph
JICA supports five railway projects with P285-B loans
By Emmie Abadilla
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting five priority railway projects of the Duterte administration with a total loan commitment of 595 billion yen (approximately P285 billion).
This covers the first tranche of the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project (and the first tranche of the Extension Project), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation Project, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, and LRT Line 2 East Extension Project.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), jump-started the construction of the railway projects to expand Metro Manila’s current 79-kilometer railway lines to 244 kilometers including links to surrounding areas.
Major cities in the world like Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and London have as much as 400 to 800 kilometers of railways to keep up with urbanization and enhance mobility.
The Philippines’ ongoing railway projects could help address growing passenger demand and attract investments, according to JICA.
“JICA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the railway sector aims to impact on wealth being distributed to other areas outside Metro Manila through investments and jobs,” JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kiyo Kawabuchi pointed out.
“Once completed, these transport infrastructure projects will help realize the shared vision of JICA and the Philippines towards reduced traffic congestion, seamless mobility, and better quality of life of many Filipinos.”
The JICA is the executing agency of Japanese ODA, which handles technical cooperation, ODA loans, and investment, grant aid, as well as cooperation volunteers and disaster relief programs.
JICA is the world’s largest bilateral aid agency with its volume of cooperation amounting to about USD 19.57 billion for JFY 2017 and a worldwide network of about 100 overseas offices including the Philippines.
Railway projects form part of the transport interventions identified in the JICA 2014 study Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila which the Philippine government adopted.
Aside from railways, the roadmap identified developing urban roads, expressways, and traffic management among the critical priorities to decongest traffic, and expand economic opportunities.
In 2017, the JICA Follow Up Survey on the Roadmap cited that the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government could help curb the P3.5 billion transportation costs due to traffic.
JICA supports several infrastructure projects of the government, including the Metro Manila Subway Project, and the LRT Line Extension Projects.
To date, design studies for the Metro Manila Subway Project are ongoing. JICA also supports the implementation of the NSCR Project, while the rehabilitation and maintenance of the MRT-3 is already being implemented.
The agency likewise supports capacity building in railway management under the ongoing Philippine Railway Institute (PRI) project. The PRI will act as a training center for railway operators in the country.
“Japan is sharing its knowledge on safety and stable train operation technology that we improved from our experience with past accidents,” according to Hideharu Igarashi, the Japanese expert dispatched to the DOTr.
“We are also sharing our best practices on how quality railway infrastructure can also mean more people commuting via trains and good revenues for non-rail businesses.”
Japan has one of the highest shares of rail users in the world, with 30 percent of commuters in Greater Tokyo taking the train, or more than 2 million passengers during the morning peak hours. This is higher than railway commuting in European countries like Switzerland and Austria to cite a few.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/20/jica-supports-five-railway-projects-with-p285-b-loans/
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supporting five priority railway projects of the Duterte administration with a total loan commitment of 595 billion yen (approximately P285 billion).
This covers the first tranche of the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project (and the first tranche of the Extension Project), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation Project, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, and LRT Line 2 East Extension Project.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), jump-started the construction of the railway projects to expand Metro Manila’s current 79-kilometer railway lines to 244 kilometers including links to surrounding areas.
Major cities in the world like Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and London have as much as 400 to 800 kilometers of railways to keep up with urbanization and enhance mobility.
The Philippines’ ongoing railway projects could help address growing passenger demand and attract investments, according to JICA.
“JICA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the railway sector aims to impact on wealth being distributed to other areas outside Metro Manila through investments and jobs,” JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kiyo Kawabuchi pointed out.
“Once completed, these transport infrastructure projects will help realize the shared vision of JICA and the Philippines towards reduced traffic congestion, seamless mobility, and better quality of life of many Filipinos.”
The JICA is the executing agency of Japanese ODA, which handles technical cooperation, ODA loans, and investment, grant aid, as well as cooperation volunteers and disaster relief programs.
JICA is the world’s largest bilateral aid agency with its volume of cooperation amounting to about USD 19.57 billion for JFY 2017 and a worldwide network of about 100 overseas offices including the Philippines.
Railway projects form part of the transport interventions identified in the JICA 2014 study Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila which the Philippine government adopted.
Aside from railways, the roadmap identified developing urban roads, expressways, and traffic management among the critical priorities to decongest traffic, and expand economic opportunities.
In 2017, the JICA Follow Up Survey on the Roadmap cited that the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government could help curb the P3.5 billion transportation costs due to traffic.
JICA supports several infrastructure projects of the government, including the Metro Manila Subway Project, and the LRT Line Extension Projects.
To date, design studies for the Metro Manila Subway Project are ongoing. JICA also supports the implementation of the NSCR Project, while the rehabilitation and maintenance of the MRT-3 is already being implemented.
The agency likewise supports capacity building in railway management under the ongoing Philippine Railway Institute (PRI) project. The PRI will act as a training center for railway operators in the country.
“Japan is sharing its knowledge on safety and stable train operation technology that we improved from our experience with past accidents,” according to Hideharu Igarashi, the Japanese expert dispatched to the DOTr.
“We are also sharing our best practices on how quality railway infrastructure can also mean more people commuting via trains and good revenues for non-rail businesses.”
Japan has one of the highest shares of rail users in the world, with 30 percent of commuters in Greater Tokyo taking the train, or more than 2 million passengers during the morning peak hours. This is higher than railway commuting in European countries like Switzerland and Austria to cite a few.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/20/jica-supports-five-railway-projects-with-p285-b-loans/
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Gov't eyes faster rollout of infra before PH becomes high middle income country
The government is prioritizing more costly infrastructure projects because the Philippines' looming entry into the ranks of upper middle income countries means it will no longer qualify for special Japanese funding, one of the country's economic managers said on Tuesday.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the government wants big projects like the Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway to move forward faster before the country achieves upper middle income status.
Pernia said that if the Philippines achieves this, it would no longer be eligible for Japanese Special Terms for Economic Partnership or STEP funding, which gives the country more favorable terms.
"So we would be on a non-STEP funding," Pernia said during a press conference in Clark, Pampanga.
He said the government was expecting the Philippines to achieve upper middle income status in the latter part of this year, but because of the recent slowdown in growth this may be "moved back to next year."
According to the World Bank, upper-middle-income economies are those in which gross national income per capita was between $3,956 and $12,235.
Pernia said that the National Economic and Development Authority Board has already approved 12 projects costing P1.6 trillion to be funded through official development assistance from Japan.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/18/19/govt-eyes-faster-rollout-of-infra-before-ph-becomes-high-middle-income-country
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the government wants big projects like the Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway to move forward faster before the country achieves upper middle income status.
Pernia said that if the Philippines achieves this, it would no longer be eligible for Japanese Special Terms for Economic Partnership or STEP funding, which gives the country more favorable terms.
"So we would be on a non-STEP funding," Pernia said during a press conference in Clark, Pampanga.
He said the government was expecting the Philippines to achieve upper middle income status in the latter part of this year, but because of the recent slowdown in growth this may be "moved back to next year."
According to the World Bank, upper-middle-income economies are those in which gross national income per capita was between $3,956 and $12,235.
Pernia said that the National Economic and Development Authority Board has already approved 12 projects costing P1.6 trillion to be funded through official development assistance from Japan.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/18/19/govt-eyes-faster-rollout-of-infra-before-ph-becomes-high-middle-income-country
Sunday, June 16, 2019
ADB extends $2.75-billion financing for Malolos-Clark Railway
By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
The government’s North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, totaling 147 kilometers from New Clark City in Tarlac to Calamba in Laguna province, received a major boost with the approval of a $2.75-billion financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the construction of the Malolos-Clark railway segment of the big-ticket project.
The 53.1-kilometer passenger railway project stretching from Malolos to the Clark ecozone down to Clark International Airport in Pampanga, and which includes a 1.9-kilometer extension connecting Solis and Blumentritt in Manila, will cut travel time from Metro Manila to Clark Airport in less than one hour by rail compared to the two-three hour travel by bus or car.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Malolos-Clark railway – which represents ADB’s single largest infrastructure financing ever – can serve up to 342,000 passengers daily traveling from Manila to Clark and will ease the chronic congestion on existing national and local roads in Metro Manila that are along the railway’s route.
The project will support the construction of two sections, totaling 53.1 kilometers (km), of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a 163 km suburban railway network connecting the regional center of Clark in Central Luzon with Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna.
The Malolos-Clark Railway Project comprises: (i) Malolos-Clark section (51.2 km) from Malolos to Clark and Clark International Airport, and (ii) Blumentritt extension (1.9 km) connecting Solis and Blumentritt stations in Metro Manila District I (City of Manila).
Both sections are part of the NSCR and extensions of the Tutuban-Solis-Malolos section financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The NSCR will be completed during 2022-2025 as an integrated 163 km dedicated suburban passenger railway system comprising four sections: (i) Tutuban-Solis-Malolos, (ii) Malolos-Clark-Clark International Airport, (iii) Solis-Blumentritt-Calamba, and (iv) Clark-New Clark City.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/15/adb-extends-2-75-billion-financing-for-malolos-clark-railway/
The government’s North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, totaling 147 kilometers from New Clark City in Tarlac to Calamba in Laguna province, received a major boost with the approval of a $2.75-billion financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the construction of the Malolos-Clark railway segment of the big-ticket project.
The 53.1-kilometer passenger railway project stretching from Malolos to the Clark ecozone down to Clark International Airport in Pampanga, and which includes a 1.9-kilometer extension connecting Solis and Blumentritt in Manila, will cut travel time from Metro Manila to Clark Airport in less than one hour by rail compared to the two-three hour travel by bus or car.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Malolos-Clark railway – which represents ADB’s single largest infrastructure financing ever – can serve up to 342,000 passengers daily traveling from Manila to Clark and will ease the chronic congestion on existing national and local roads in Metro Manila that are along the railway’s route.
The project will support the construction of two sections, totaling 53.1 kilometers (km), of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a 163 km suburban railway network connecting the regional center of Clark in Central Luzon with Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna.
The Malolos-Clark Railway Project comprises: (i) Malolos-Clark section (51.2 km) from Malolos to Clark and Clark International Airport, and (ii) Blumentritt extension (1.9 km) connecting Solis and Blumentritt stations in Metro Manila District I (City of Manila).
Both sections are part of the NSCR and extensions of the Tutuban-Solis-Malolos section financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The NSCR will be completed during 2022-2025 as an integrated 163 km dedicated suburban passenger railway system comprising four sections: (i) Tutuban-Solis-Malolos, (ii) Malolos-Clark-Clark International Airport, (iii) Solis-Blumentritt-Calamba, and (iv) Clark-New Clark City.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/15/adb-extends-2-75-billion-financing-for-malolos-clark-railway/
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