On March 3, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to provide a loan for the rehabilitation of Metro Line 3 in Manila (Metro Rail Transit Line 3 – MRT3).

The agreement was signed by Frederick D. Go, Secretary of the Department of Finance of the Philippines, and Baba Takashi, Chief Representative of JICA Philippines.

The maximum loan amount is EUR 157 million (¥21.6 billion), with an annual interest rate of 0.80% and a grace period of 10 years. The repayment period is 40 years.

The planned implementation schedule calls for completion of the project in October 2027, when maintenance and rehabilitation of Metro Line 3 (MRT3) will be fully completed.

Consulting services, including detailed design work, were initiated through the issuance of letters of invitation in April 2019 and have already been contracted. In addition, the tender for the initial procurement package for the construction of the project was launched in December 2018 for package CP1, which includes rehabilitation and maintenance, and has also already been contracted.

Under the agreement, JICA notes that the project has two key components:

The MRT-3 line in Manila is an essential urban metro line for public transport in Metro Manila (the metropolitan area of the city). The route is 17 km long and includes 13 stations, stretching from North Avenue Station in Quezon City in the north to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City in the south. The line provides a fast connection along the north-south axis of the capital and is used by a large number of commuters every day.

In 2025, the line recorded a total traffic of over 141 million passengers, equivalent to nearly 388,000 passengers per day, reflecting its major importance in reducing traffic congestion and supporting urban mobility. The MRT-3 thus contributes significantly to the efficiency of public transport and the improvement of quality of life in the Manila metropolitan area.