The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Japanese government, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), have finalized on Friday, May 11, the terms of the rehabilitation and maintenance deal for the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3), inching closer to the signing scheduled next month.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 15, the DOTr said the two parties have agreed on the estimated cost, scope and schedule of the project, which will take 43 months, or more than three years.
“Based on the discussions, the Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project of MRT-3 will take 43 months: 31 months for the simultaneous rehabilitation and maintenance works to restore MRT-3 to its original design condition and capacity, and 12 months for the defect liability period,” it said.
The Japanese government will finance the project, amounting to ¥34.480 billion JPY or P16.985 billion. The DOTr said it and Japan is aiming to sign the loan agreement and mobilization of the maintenance and rehabilitation provider by next month.
In November, the DOTr was reported to be in discussions with the Japanese government regarding the maintenance of the MRT-3, following its termination of contract with Busan Universal Rail, Inc. Japanese company Sumitomo Corp. was the MRT-3 maintenance provider from 2000 to 2012. — Denise A. Valdez

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