Return of Sumitomo, Mitsubishi Heavy to maintain, rehab MRT 3 looms

January 5, 2018

The Philippine transport department moved a step closer to bringing back Sumitomo Corp. and technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries  to take over maintenance and rehabilitation of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3).

"That's the direction we're heading on to," said Goddes Hope Libiran, director for communications of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in a Viber message to the Daily Manila Shimbun Friday.

Libiran said the Philippines issued its Note Verbale to the Government of Japan last December 28. Due to the New Year holidays, the Government of Japan has not issued its Note Verbale.

"GOJ's Note Verbale is expected to be issued early next week," said Libiran.

Libiran said the exchange of Note Verbales "embody the arrangements between GOJ and GOP for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project."

She said the DOTr will make an announcement soon.

The MRT3 Line, which spans 16.9 kilometers runs from North Ave to to Taft Ave had been plagued with glitches under its former maintenance provider BURI. The transport department terminated a three-year contract with BURI which was supposed to end next year in November.

Sumitomo, which designed and built the line, and Mitsubishi Heavy were the original maintenance firms from 2003 to 2012. DMS