The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has a two-year contract extension with Japanese firm Sumitomo Corp. for the continued rehabilitation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), ensuring the system remains efficient and reliable for commuters.
The extension agreement, signed by Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Sumitomo Corp. corporate officer Takeshi Noguchi, supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve public transport by providing a safe, dependable, and modern railway system.
The renewed contract focuses on critical system upgrades, essential repairs, and the sustained reliability of MRT-3 operations. The previous P7.38 billion contract with Sumitomo, which began in 2019 and included system rehabilitation completed in December 2021, is set to expire in October 2025. The new agreement extends the partnership until 2027, pending final approval from both the Philippine and Japanese governments.
“With Sumitomo, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (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,” said Secretary Lopez. He also expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued support through JICA, which has been instrumental in the project’s implementation.
Since Sumitomo took over MRT-3’s rehabilitation and maintenance in 2019, operational capacity has significantly improved. The number of operational trains increased from just 7 in 2018 to a high of 22 by 2022, enabling up to 20 train sets to run during peak hours.
The DOTr said commuters can expect enhanced service quality from the extension, including fewer service interruptions, improved efficiency, and shorter travel times.
