Group offers sp’l works for MRT-3 upgrade

MANILA, Philippines - A group composed of two German firms and a Filipino-owned company is offering to undertake special works worth over P405 million to improve the services of the ageing Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3).

Roehl Bacar, president of Comm Builders & Technology Philippines Inc., said in an interview with reporters that the company together with Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik GmbH and HEAG mobile GmbH made the proposal on top of the P4.65 billion rehabilitation and restoration of MRT-3.

The special works include the installation of platform edged doors worth P241.65 million for safety and protection, establishment of automatic train protection for P190 million, upgrade of communications system worth P108.1 million, rehabilitation of toilets for P46.5 million, installation of LED lightning for P45 million, construction of a footbridge at the North Ave. station for P13.7 million, and the repair of a Unimog for P2.4 million.

“We can provide other services that are beyond the means of rehabilitation and restoration of the MRT-3,” Bacar said.

The group, according to Bacar, has forwarded an unsolicited proposal to Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to undertake the P4.65-billion rehabilitation and restoration project for MRT-3.

The proposal involves the P2.23 billion three-year maintenance of the mass transit system along EDSA, the P1.04 billion rehabilitation of the 73 light rail vehicles of MRT-3, the P863.1 million upgrade of ancillary system, the P203.7 million upgrade of conveyance system, the P183.1 million upgrade in CTC and signaling system, and the P118.98 million rail replacement.

According to Bacar, the group’s proposal is P115.84 million cheaper than the P4.76 billion approved budget for the said projects being undertaken by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

“I have solved all the puzzle for the DOTC and all they have to do is just implement it,” Bacar said, adding that the group has offered the proposal that includes the transfer of German technology to the Philippines for free.

With the proposal, he added that the DOTC could save the P50-million budget to tap a consultant for the capacity expansion and rehabilitation of MRT-3.