The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has extended its agreement with the Japanese firm Sumitomo Corp. for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) for another two years.
In a statement on Friday, the DOTr said the renewed agreement with Sumitomo is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Jr.’s directive to ensure efficient and sustainable operations of rail systems.
The agreement was signed by DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Sumitomo Corp. corporate officer and general manager, Takeshi Noguchi. It covers a two-year rehabilitation and maintenance component.
The agreement aims to address essential system upgrades and repairs, as well as ongoing operational reliability.
“Effectivity of the agreement is still subject to further approvals from both the Philippines and the Japanese side. With the agreement, commuters are assured of efficient and convenient rail services, reduced glitches and breakdowns, and shorter travel time,” it said.
The renewed agreement, it said, was due to Sumitomo’s “undeniable capability” and expertise in handling the rehabilitation and maintenance of MRT-3.
“Sumitomo Corp. completed the systems rehabilitation for the MRT-3 in December 2021 with continuing maintenance services until October 2025,” it said.
Lopez thanked the Japanese government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their assistance in the agreement.
“With Sumitomo, JICA and the Government of Japan by our side, we look forward to ensuring that MRT-3 continues to provide safe, reliable and efficient service to our Filipino commuters and the riding public in general,” he said.
Since Sumitomo Corp. took over the rail line’s rehabilitation and maintenance in 2019, the MRT-3 line was able to increase operational trains from a low of seven in 2018 to a high of 22 operational trains in 2022, enabling the deployment of up to 20 train sets during peak hours.
PNA PHOTO