The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will extend its maintenance contract with Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. for the MRT-3, signaling continuity in operations ahead of the planned privatization of the system’s operations and maintenance (O&M).
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the contract renewal during a recent briefing, saying in Filipino, “May extension na, we will give the details once it’s done. Ma-eextend, sure na iyon.”
This development ensures Sumitomo will remain at the helm of the MRT-3’s upkeep, following its joint P7.38-billion contract in May 2023 with Oriental Consultants Global and the DOTr, which extended maintenance and rehabilitation efforts through July 2025. That contract included key infrastructure upgrades, such as signal installations at the shared common station, track extensions, and additional pocket tracks to support expanded four-car train operations.
The renewed deal underscores the strategic role of Sumitomo in stabilizing MRT-3 operations even as the government accelerates plans to privatize the line’s O&M through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
“We need to PPP MRT-3. That is the goal for this year,” Dizon said, noting that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the DOTr in structuring the privatization framework.
The MRT-3 is operated by the government, while the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), a consortium led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña’s Metro Rail Transit Holdings II Inc., retains responsibility for its design and construction.
In preparation for increased passenger demand, Dizon also directed Sumitomo to expedite testing and certification of 48 previously unused Dalian light rail vehicles (LRVs), which must pass safety and performance assessments before they can enter daily service.
The dual-track strategy—maintaining Japanese-led reliability while pursuing private-sector efficiency—marks a critical transitional phase for one of Metro Manila’s busiest rail corridors.
