MANILA- Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda has reiterated Japan's commitment to have "joint work" with the Philippines, including lending an estimated P17.79 billion for the complete rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit-3.

The said amount will cover the railway line’s trains, power supply system, signalling system, and rail tracks, among others.

This, as Philippines and Japan signed the exchange of notes on Tokyo's assistance for the improvement of Manila's defense and transport capabilities.

Foreign Affairs Chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Haneda signed the exchange of notes on the Japanese government's aid grant for improvement of Philippine military equipment and the rehabilitation of the (MRT).

“With the signing of these two projects, let me assure you that we do not only mark our commitments on paper, we also pledge our all-out efforts in bringing these projects into successful completion,” the Japanese envoy said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the MRT project would have a duration of 43 months or nearly 4 years.

Rehabilitation of the train line is eyed to be completed in 2 years and 2 months while the general overhaul is expected to be accomplished by the 43rd month.

Japan is the Philippines' top source of Official Development Assistance.

Japan's grant also involves some P5 billion worth of spare parts and maintenance equipment of UH-1H helicopters of the Philippine Air Force by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The said helicopters are used in the Air Force's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, transport, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.