DOTC awards LRT consultancy contract to Japanese group

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has tapped a consortium of Japanese firms as consultant for P75-billion ($1.70-billion) worth of expansion projects for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya approved the issuance of a notice to proceed to CMX Consortium (except Japan Transport Consultants Incorporated [JTC]) as consultant for the enhancement of the P65 billion ($1.47-billion) LRT1 Cavite extension and the P9.6 billion ($216.96 million) LRT2 East Masinag extension projects being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The CMX Consortium led by Tokyo-based Katahira & Engineers International, together with Tonichi Engineering Consultants Incorporated, JTC, and Japan International Consultants for Transportation Company, Limited.

Local partners in the CMX Consortium are: Applied Planning & Infrastructure Incorporated, DCCD Engineering Corporation, Development Engineering & Management Corporation, J.F. Cancio & Associates, SCHEMA Konsult Incorporated, TCGI Engineers, Engineering & Development Corporation of the Philippines, and Key Engineers Company Consultants Incorporated.

The consultancy contract is worth P602.7 million ($13.62 million), including provision of P49.9 million ($1.13 million) for value added tax (VAT) and P8.31 million ($187,813.56) for withholding tax.

The winning consultant will draw up the technical specifications, bidding assistance, construction supervision, and warranty supervision for the LRT1 and LRT2 extension projects.

The group has 62 months to complete the consultancy project.

The LRT1 Cavite extension project was awarded to the Light Rail Manila Consortium of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and Ayala Corporation. The project will run from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite.

The LRT2 extension project will run from Santolan to Masinag in Antipolo. – Rappler.com


US$1 = P44.25