DOTC eyes consultant to improve mass transit system for Metro

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is looking for a consultant on how to enhance mass transit systems in Metro Manila including the capacity of the proposed P70-billion extension of the Light Rail Transit lines 1 and 2.

The DOTC is in the middle of bidding out a consultancy services contract for the enhancement of mass transit systems in Metro Manila to help decongest the major thoroughfares in the metropolis particularly EDSA.

Japanese-owned Katahira & Engineers International as well as PADECO have been shortlisted together with other companies for the proposed consultancy project.

Both companies are based in Tokyo, Japan and are expected to slug it out for the project being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Submission of bids for the consultancy services for the enhancement of mass transit systems in Metro Manila was originally scheduled last Aug. 13 but was postponed indefinitely to give bidders more time to prepare their bids.

The mass transit system projects include the P60 billion extension of LRT1 all the way to Bacoor in Cavite from Baclaran in Pasay City as well as the P9.6 billion extension of LRT2 from Santolan all the way to Masinag.

The DOTC is set to rebid the LRT1 Cavite extension project in the first quarter of next year after a failed bidding last Aug. 15 as only the Light Rail Manila Consortium led by infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) submitted its technical and financial proposals but the DOTC described the bid as non-compliant. Its partner Ayala Corp. also did not participate in the bid.

Other bidders that were prequalified last November including the MTD-Samsung Group, San Miguel Infrastructure Resources Inc., and DMCI Holdings Inc. withdrew their participation in the bidding process due to questions about the viability of the project.

The DOTC has already amended the concession agreement of the project to make it more viable by subsidizing its operations through real property tax, sudden surge in power rates, a warranty on the structure, fare adjustments, and allowing a negative bid.

The Cavite Extension project would increase the span of Line 1 from 20.7 kilometers to 32.4 kilometers and will have a new south endpoint in Niog, Bacoor, Cavite. The extension would open up the Line 1 services to the nearly 4 million residents of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and the province of Cavite.

The construction of the tracks, the stations and all its attendant facilities, as well as operation and maintenance worth about P30 billion is being contracted out through the private sector while the other P30 billion for the purchase of 39 light rail vehicles would come from the government through official development assistance (ODA) from JICA.

On the other hand, the DOTC has yet to award the P350 million consultancy contract for the LRT2 east extension project worth P9.7 billion as it is resolving the motions for reconsiderations filed by losing bidders.

The LRT-2 east extension plan entails the extension of the existing 13.8-kilometer LRT-2 from Recto to Santolan. The proponent would put up a 4.14-kilometer extension eastward from the existing Santolan Station at Marcos Highway, terminating at the intersection of Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway.