Signing for $1 billion MRT-4 loan pushed to next year

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters may have to wait a bit longer before the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 (MRT-4) is built, as the government moved the signing of the loans for the project to next year.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to sign the consultancy and loan agreements for the MRT-4 in 2024, a year behind the initial target of acquiring the funds for the project.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista gave no explanation for the delay in schedule, but made it clear that the MRT-4 remains a priority of the DOTr.

“Another much anticipated rail line is the MRT-4, which will run from Taytay to the east of Rizal toward EDSA along the constricted stretch of Ortigas Avenue. MRT-4’s consultancy and its loan agreements will be signed next year,” Bautista said.

Earlier, Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez told The STAR that the DOTr is set to close a $1-billion loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the MRT-4. He said the funding for the railway was included in ADB’s commitments for 2023.

Nevertheless, Bautista said the DOTr will move as quickly as possible in putting up the railway, understanding that it will play a crucial role in decongesting road traffic in the eastern segment of Metro Manila.

Citing estimates from the DOTr, Bautista said the MRT-4 can ferry up to 234,000 passengers per day and will cut travel time from end to end to just 27 minutes.

Initially, the DOTr had wanted to set up the MRT-4 as the first monorail of the Philippines, but it decided to upgrade it to a metro rail system for practical purposes.

In the detailed engineering design created by IDOM Consulting, Engineering and Architecture, it was proposed that the MRT-4 adopt a metro rail structure. IDOM said ridership in the railway is expected to increase over time, requiring a wider space that can serve future demand.

Chavez supported the proposal knowing all too well that the eastern corridor of Metro Manila is becoming a business district. Further, a metro rail system ensures that the government can repair the railway easily given the availability of experts and suppliers for it.

Based on the latest design, the MRT-4 will span 15.56 kilometers, serving 11 stations.

The railway will cover two cities in Metro Manila (Quezon City and Pasig City) and two towns in Rizal (Cainta and Taytay), making it a viable transport when traveling between the areas.