P-Noy dares critics to scrutinize MRT-7 project

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino challenged his critics yesterday to evaluate and assess his administration’s P69.3-billion Metro Rail Transit-7 project with conglomerate San Miguel Corp., which he conceded was in the pipeline even before he took over in 2010.

“As usual, everyone is free to examine the details of the contract,” he said at groundbreaking ceremonies held at the Quezon Memorial Circle for the 23-kilometer MRT project.

The system will run from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

Aquino admitted in his speech that the project was conceived during the Arroyo administration but which he only approved halfway through his term in 2013.

He said he can guarantee that whatever contract his administration has entered into is aboveboard and for the benefit of every Filipino.

The outgoing Chief Executive added he is more concerned with ensuring that contracts can withstand legal scrutiny than with leading their unveiling.

The MRT-7 project, a product of public-private partnership, includes the construction of an Intermodal Transport Terminal in San Jose del Monte and another 22-kilometer six-lane highway from Bocaue interchange along NLEX up to the ITT in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The elevated railway facility will provide an easier and much-faster route from any vicinity in Quezon City to any point in Bulacan and vice versa, and will benefit some 350,000 up to 800,000 commuters daily, thereby easing traffic congestion in the metropolis.

MRT-7 will have 14 stations – North EDSA, Quezon Memorial Circle, University Avenue, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio, Batasan, Manggahan, Doña Carmen, Regalado, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino Highway, Sacred Heart, Tala and San Jose del Monte.

A depot in Bulacan will house a control center, administrative offices, warehouse and facilities for train cars.?The MRT-7 is expected to have an initial daily capacity of 550,000 during peak hours, accommodating 28,000 passengers per hour per direction.

As reported by ABS-CBN, the national government and SMC differed on the year MRT-7 will be operational. Aquino said this would be in 2020, while SMC management said this will only take three years, or until 2018.