PRRD Inaugurates Fully Rehabilitated MRT-3

     On March 22, 2022, Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko joined President Rodrigo Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade at the Completion Ceremony for the Japan-funded Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) Rehabilitation Project.

     According to Ambassador Koshikawa, “Now that we have accomplished its comprehensive rehabilitation, we can rely on the MRT-3 to run twice as fast without any untoward incident. This achievement of a fully rehabilitated railway will bring more convenience to many Filipino commuters.”

     The Ambassador also said that the Government of Japan, along with the Japanese private sector, takes pride in being part of these projects under the ambitious Build, Build, Build program. He assured that Japan is determined to build on these achievements, while further accelerating the excellent relations between Japan and the Philippines.

     Financed by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the MRT-3 Rehabilitation project started in 2018 with Japanese contractors, Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). All MRT-3 facilities and equipment were renovated under the project, including replacement of worn out tracks, upgrading of signaling system, and overhaul of the Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs).

      The rehabilitation increased the operating speed from 25kph to 60kph with 22 fully functioning LRVs. It is expected to benefit around 500,000 passengers daily.