THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said it is set to provide new technical assistance to Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) by July this year, aimed at improving the operational efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the Light Rail Transit Line-1 (LRT-1) through energy-saving initiatives.
This follows JICA’s joint venture with Sumitomo Corp. and Hankyu Corp., formalized in June 2024 to support the Philippine government’s efforts to ease traffic, improve commuting and reduce vehicle emissions.
JICA said in a statement on Wednesday that the program, set to begin in July 2025 and end in May 2026, will focus on improving energy efficiency in railway operations.
Last month, JICA and LRMC agreed to implement JICA’s Expert Dispatch Program on Energy Conservation for LRT-1. This initiative supports the Philippine government’s goal of reduc-ing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 75 percent by 2030 under the Paris Agreement.
JICA’s technical assistance aims to help lower operational costs, reduce environmental im-pact, and provide valuable insights for the Philippine government and other railway opera-tors in improving operations and reducing emissions across the railway sector.
JICA said Japanese experts are expected to identify critical intervention points at rolling stock by revitalizing the control units and motors as well as substations. They will introduce regenerative energy loss prevention systems, enhance energy-efficient driving techniques based on Japanese experiences, and propose optimal energy conservation measures.
The findings and lessons learned through the program will be disseminated to aid the Phil-ippine government and other railway operators in enhancing their operation and mainte-nance (O&M), business efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across the entire railway sector.
