Poe, Binay want transparency in P4-B ‘emergency’ MRT deal

MANILA, Philippines - Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay yesterday called for transparency in the reported  “emergency” procurement covering a new P4.2-billion rehabilitation plan of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 that is being pushed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The two senators made the call after they personally inspected yesterday at the MRT 3 depot in North Avenue, Quezon City, the prototype train coach of CLR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Ltd. from China.

They also expressed concern that the “negotiated” contracts entered into by the DOTC might favor certain persons close to the current administration. The procurement of new coaches alone is worth P3.8 billion.

“I am concerned about emergency contracts, especially looking at the track record of others. Let us not forget that those emergency contracts allowed PH Trams (former MRT maintenance contractor) to come in, along with other maintenance providers,” Poe said.

“I want a fast bidding process but it should be transparent. Like I said, we should make sure that we will not be shortchanged with defective products,” she added.

Binay urged the public to be more vigilant regarding the contract on train coaches to prevent any controversy similar to the alleged $30-million extortion attempt involving officials of the MRT and the executives of Czech railway firm Inekon Group.

She is concerned over reports that a favored bidder, PH Trams, has been cornering contracts, the latest of which is the P535-million maintenance contract. 

Fund-raisers associated with the administration-backed Liberal Party reportedly own PH Trams.

Binay said her office is studying the contracts entered into by the DOTC for the MRT-3 rehabilitation, including the maintenance contracts and the latest P4.2-billion contract being negotiated by the department.

Inspection

Upon inspecting the prototype coach for the MRT, Binay and Poe said they want to make sure that the planned procurement of new coaches will be worth every centavo of taxpayer’s money.

Poe led the Senate subcommittee on transportation to inspect the prototype to make sure the coach will be up to standard.