By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter
AT LEAST 74 local and foreign firms have expressed interest within the planned Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) public-private partnership (PPP), the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said, as the federal government seeks private sector support for a rail system that analysts say requires substantial upgrades and clearer industrial terms to draw serious long-term operators.
“The MRT-3 PPP is a really viable and promising project. That is an existing line, and we all know that, historically, MRT-3 ridership can reach as much as 620,000 to 630,000 a day,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said in a press release on Tuesday.
Data from the DoTr showed that MRT-3 passenger traffic increased in 2025 to 141.63 million, up 4.22% from 135.89 million in 2024.
The businesses participated in market consultations held on May 14-15 and May 18 for the MRT-3 operations and maintenance (O&M) PPP project, in accordance with the DoTr. The participating firms were from 14 countries, although the department didn’t discover them.
Mr. Batan said the strong turnout throughout the market sounding reflected growing private sector confidence in Philippine infrastructure projects.
The Transportation department is targeting approval of the project by the Economy and Development Council by August or September, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez told BusinessWorld.
Based on the agency’s timeline, solicited bidding for the project may begin by October, with bid submissions expected by March 2027.
The contract is targeted for award between June and July 2027, while the winning bidder is anticipated to take over MRT-3 operations by October next 12 months.
In accordance with information posted on the PPP Center website, the contractor for the capability expansion, operations, and maintenance contract will take over the management of the present MRT-3 line, including operations and maintenance, fare collection, and industrial rights inside station areas subject to revenue-sharing arrangements with the federal government.
The project also includes the introduction of Dalian trains into industrial service, additional rolling stock, and upgrades to the signaling, depot, power, and communication systems.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), which serves because the project’s transaction adviser, supports the initiative.
“With this MRT-3 PPP Project, we’re proud and quite privileged to be a partner of the federal government of the Philippines on this endeavor to enhance the general connectivity for the Filipino people,” ADB Country Director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries said throughout the market sounding conference.
Still, transport analysts cautioned that the project’s industrial attractiveness will depend heavily on how clearly the federal government defines the scope of labor and long-term financial structure.
“The MRT-3 project just isn’t very attractive. That’s the reason it requires a really clear definition,” Rene S. Santiago, a world consultant on transport development and former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said on the sidelines of the ADB Transport Forum on Tuesday.
He said the project consultant should clearly specify the upgrades needed for MRT-3, including increased line capability and redesigned stations to enhance accessibility.
Nigel Paul C. Villarete, senior adviser on PPPs at Libra Konsult, Inc., said the DoTr is moving within the “right direction” by pursuing a solicited bidding process as an alternative of entertaining unsolicited proposals.
“They provide an open opportunity to all, and can attract a bunch of interested parties in comparison with the unsolicited mode, which supplies an enormous advantage to the unique proponent with the ability to match any bid that could be submitted,” he said in a Viber message.
He added that transport projects with predictable ridership resembling MRT-3 are generally more attractive under a competitive solicited bidding framework.
The DoTr previously rejected unsolicited proposals for the MRT-3 O&M project submitted by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and San Miguel Corp.
Last 12 months, Metro Pacific Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said the corporate was unlikely to resubmit its proposal without approved fare increases and amid the high cost of rail operations.
The federal government had initially targeted launching the MRT-3 bidding process before the expiration of its build-lease-transfer agreement with Metro Rail Transit Corp. in July 2025. Following the contract’s expiration, ownership and operations of MRT-3 reverted fully to the federal government.