PNoy: Gov't working to improve MRT

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday defended Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya from criticisms due to the problems plaguing the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).
 

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), Pres. Aquino said Abaya should not lose heart, enumerating the transportation chief's achievements. 

"Kay Sec. Jun Abaya: Huwag ka sanang panghihinaan ng loob kung tila nalilimot ng iba ang nagawa mo para sa ating mga marino, ang pagtanggal ng ICAO sa significant safety concerns sa ating aviation sector, ang pag-alis ng European ban sa ating mga eroplano, at ang pag-akyat natin sa Category 1 ng US Federal Aviation Authority. Ipinagbawal mo rin ang pagpapalaot ng barko kapag may bagyo, na nakatulong upang mailayo sa panganib ang pasahero," he said. 

Aquino traced the deterioration of the MRT Line 3 back to the previous administration, which he claimed only did minor repairs instead of giving the commuter train system proper maintainance.

 

“Noong 2008, dapat nagkaroon ng general overhaul ang MRT, pero halos pagpipintura lang ang ginawa,” he remarked.

 

As a result of the poor maintenance prior to 2010, Aquino said the work needed to make the MRT-3 work properly had accumulated by the time he assumed the presidency.

"Bihira ang nagbabanggit na may katuwang tayong pribadong korporasyon, na naalala ang kanilang mga karapatan, pero tila ba nalimot ang kanilang mga obligasyon. Ang katuwang na ito, sagot ang maintenance," Aquino said. 

 

Government efforts to rehabilitate the MRT have been slowed down because the privately-owned MRT Corporation (MRTC) has blocked the state from buying railway line.

 

“Ang trabaho ng pribado, ipinasa sa atin. Ang solusyon naman natin, hinarang nila,” Aquino said.

 

In 2013, Aquino issued Executive Order No. 126 directing the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Department of Finance to execute the buyout under the build-lease-transfer agreement. The DOTC said it will need around P53 billion to execute the buyout.

 

MRT Holdings, which owns MRTC, however, said the amount is not enough. 

 

According to Roberto Sobrepeña, chairman of Fil-Estate Corporation which holds a significant stake in MRTC, the government needs to increase its offer by $200 million to $300 million more to buy out the private stakeholders.

 

Despite the MRTC’s objection, Aquino said the government is determined to proceed with the buyout. Once it is completed, the President said it will only be the State which will decide how the MRT should be run.

 

While the buyout proceedings are ongoing, Aquino said the Department of Transportation and Communications is working on improving the MRT. He said the procurement of new train coaches, railway lines and signaling system are underway to make the commuter rail line more efficient.

 

The President then shot back at critics who said he is numb to the woes of commuters.

 

“Ako ba ang may blinders o ang mga pangit lang ang nakikita?” he asked.

 

The President said he’s aware of the plight of commuters, but initiating improvements for the MRT have to go through the proper process since the government can’t afford to have its reform efforts derailed by possible court cases. – VS/JJ, GMA News