DOTC taps Japanese group as LRT expansion consultant

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has tapped a group composed of Japanese companies to serve as consultant to enhance mass transit systems in Metro Manila including the P75-billion extension projects for the existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has approved the issuance of a Notice to Proceed to CMX Consortium except Japan Transport Consultants Inc. (JTC) for the implementation of the consulting services for the enhancement of the P65 billion LRT-1 Cavite extension and the P9.6 billion LRT-2 East Masinag extension projects being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The contract is worth P602.7 million as well as provision of P49.9 million for value added tax (VAT) and P8.31 million for withholding tax.

The winning consultant is tasked to draw up the technical specifications, bidding assistance, construction supervision, and warranty supervision for the LRT-1 and LRT-2 extension projects.

The mass transit system projects include the P65 billion extension of LRT-1 all the way to Bacoor in Cavite from Baclaran in Pasay City that has been awarded to the Light Rail Manila Consortium led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Ayala Corp. as well as the P9.6 billion extension of LRT-2 from Santolan all the way to Masinag.

In the notice dated Jan. 23 and sent to CMX Consortium authorized representative Hiroshi Shindo, Abaya said the group has 62 months to complete the project.

The CMX Consortium is led by Tokyo-based Katahira & Engineers International together with Tonichi Engineering Consultants Inc., JTC, and Japan International Consultants for Transportation Co. Ltd.

Local partners in the CMX Consortium are Applied Planning & Infrastructure Inc., DCCD Engineering Corp., Development Engineering & Management Corp., J.F. Cancio & Associates, SCHEMA Konsult Inc., TCGI Engineers, Engineering & Development Corp. of the Philippines, and Key Engineers Co. Consultants Inc.