MRT janitors earning P83K monthly?

MANILA, Philippines -  If budget figures are accurate, janitors working at the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) must be receiving a monthly income of P83,566, an administration lawmaker said yesterday.

“Where does the money go?” Rep. Jericho Nograles of party-list Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta asked.

Nograles said the MRT-3 has allocated P18 million for the janitorial service of the rail system for only six personnel for six years.

“Eighteen million for six cleaners in three years? The transportation and MRT-3 officials who allowed this travesty and their cohorts at BURI (Busan Universal Rail Inc.) are either dimwits or have criminal minds,” Nograles said. 

Busan is the MRT-3’s maintenance service provider. 

With an annual budget allocation of P6 million for three years, Nograles said each of the six MRT-3 janitors would be receiving P83,566 per month.  

Nograles noted that the scope of work of the personnel only covers the cleaning of light rail vehicles (LRVs) and not the entire MRT-3 facility.

“This contract with Busan is a midnight deal and should be scrapped right away,” he said.

“Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade should not pay a single cent to the service provider,” he added. 

 Nograles said the government is paying Busan more than P73,000 daily for cleaning MRT coaches.

He said the P80-million allocation for the maintenance of LRVs forms part of the P3.8-billion contract awarded to Busan.

“Secretary Tugade should terminate this anomalous contract,” Nograles said.

Based on records of the Department of Transportation Bids and Awards Committee, MRT’s previous service provider Sumitomo Corp. charged only P350,000 per month or P11,666 daily for a total of P12.6 million for three years.