DBM releases P1.2B rehab fund for MRT-3

MANILA, Philippines–Malfunctioning trains as well as broken escalators and elevators at the Mass Rail Transit (MRT) 3 are hoped to become a thing of the past, as the government has released P1.207 billion to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of the train system that serves thousands of commuters along busy Edsa.

The Department of Budget and Management on Wednesday said the MRT-3 rehabilitation fund, which came from the P22.47-billion 2014 supplemental budget approved by President Aquino last December, “will cover not only the rehabilitation and the capacity expansion of the MRT-3, but also the replacement of the existing signaling system and the rehabilitation of escalators and elevators at MRT-3 stations.”

Of the amount infused into the Department of Transportation and Communications for this purpose, P900 million will be spent to replace and upgrade MRT-3’s existing signaling system.

Almost P167.2 million was earmarked to procure one rail-grinding machine to be used to repair tracks damaged by shelling and stamping.

Also, P90 million was allotted to purchase an overhead catenary system or OCS unimog road-rail vehicle to be used during maintenance activities.

The remaining P50 million was allocated to upgrade the conveyance system by procuring 12 modern elevator units for various stations.

“The rehabilitation of the MRT-3 has been a long time coming, especially in the wake of past challenges faced by MRT commuters. [T]he release of funds to rehabilitate the MRT-3 will go a long way in improving not only the capacity of the mass transit system but also the overall user experience,” Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said in a statement.