4 firms bag MRT-3 contracts worth P142.3 M

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has awarded four contracts worth over P140 million for the improvement of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3).

The DOTC said the four improvement projects with a total value of P142.37 million would provide MRT 3 passengers a better riding experience.

Among the projects is the P2.10-million contract awarded to Innovalite Electrical Enterprise for the supply of new industrial fans, which would improve ventilation at the stations.

The fans should be installed within 90 days from issuance of the notice to proceed (NTP).

A contract for the supply of new traction motors worth P79.86 million was awarded to Ad Lib-YongJi joint venture, which would provide motors with performance specifications similar to the ones being used.

The contractor is required to deliver the new traction motors within 300 days from issuance of NTP.

For the new multipurpose road-rail vehicle that will be used for the maintenance of the overhead catenary system, the joint venture of Kempal Construction and Supply Corp. and Maquinaria del Eo bagged the P46.39-million contract.

The joint venture should deliver the maintenance equipment within 330 days from issuance of NTP.

Another contract worth P14.02 million was awarded to Lead Core Technology System Inc. for the acquisition of batteries, which would provide uninterrupted power supply to the train’s signaling system.

The winning bidder will have to provide a total of 180 battery units for each station and depot by March of this year.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said all four projects were awarded following the conduct of public bidding.

The projects follow the awarding of the three-year maintenance contract worth P3.81 billion to the joint venture of Busan Transportation Corp., Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile Inc., TMICorp Inc. and Castan Corp. and announced by DOTC on Dec. 24.

MRT 3’s three-year maintenance contract was awarded through a negotiated or alternative mode of procurement approved by the Government Procurement Policy Board.

The DOTC had to resort to an alternative mode of procurement after no one participated in the biddings conducted in September 2014 and January 2015.

In a related development, the agency said the refurbishment of 12 Schindler-brand escalators of the train system would be completed within the month.

Most of the escalators will provide convenience to commuters particularly senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women.

The DOTC said the second of 48 new light rail vehicles (LRV) or train cars for the MRT 3 has been assembled and is undergoing testing to ensure that the parts are reliable.

The first LRV was assembled in August last year.