Senate to look into 6 MRT maintenance contracts

MANILA, Philippines - Senators led by Grace Poe urged Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya yesterday to bare details of the maintenance contracts for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) that his department recently awarded.

Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, questioned why the DOTC had to divide into six the maintenance contracts for the commuter system.

“There are many questions about MRT. (Trains at the) common stations are delayed; we want to know what causes the delays. Is it true that (commuters) have to walk (a long distance)? Why are these common stations disjointed?” Poe asked.

“And what happened to our maintenance providers? What should be done for the long-term maintenance?” she added.

The senator also expressed interest in looking into reports that one of the contracts was awarded to a company reportedly owned by campaign donors of the Liberal Party.

“It’s a concern, but it is of utmost importance that we are able see whether they are able to deliver or if they are qualified, regardless if (the firm is managed by an LP campaign) contributor,” Poe said.

The DOTC has awarded six-month contracts valued at P62.48 million to address the safety issues on MRT-3’s rail tracks and permanent ways, buildings and facilities as well as communications and ticketing systems.

Poe said the DOTC seemed to be taking its time in the implementation of the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion and Rehabilitation projects when Congress had appropriated enough funds to start the program.

“I think it’s still very slow. I think they can still do more. That’s why I am calling for another public hearing once the prototype coaches have been delivered,” Poe said.

She also noted that the DOTC has failed to meet target deliverables.

“I don’t think the waiting sheds are that difficult to accomplish, but they have not done this. I am really not satisfied with the way they are doing their jobs,” she said in Filipino.