Common station, MRT-7 finished by 2027 — DOTr's Dizon

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday committed that the common station for LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7 lines will open in 2027, coinciding with the start of the operation of MRT-7 which connects Metro Manila and Bulacan. 

Dizon said this prior to the approval of his ad interim appointment as secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) by the transportation committee of the Commission on Appointments (CA). 

“Ang goal po natin is makahanap na tayo ng bagong gagawa at magtatapos ng istasyon ng common station ngayong 2025 at ang timeline natin is kasabay sana ng opening ng MRT-7 ay tapos na rin ang common station, para by 2027 tapos na po finally,” he said. 

(Our goal is to find a new contractor to build and finish the common station by 2025. Our timeline is to finish the common station at the same time as the opening of the MRT-7, so that by 2027 it will finally be finished.) 

“Parang 15 years na itong mga proyektong ito between common station, MRT-7, at ang koneksyon ng LRT-1 at MRT-3. Mahigit isang dekada na ito, halos 15 years na. Tingin ko, within the term of the President, lahat ng prokeytong ito ay matatapos na at operational,” he added.

(These projects—the common station, MRT-7, and the connection of LRT-1 and MRT-3—have been going on for 15 years. It's been more than a decade, almost 15 years. I think, within the term of the President, all these projects will be completed and operational.)

Modernization program

During the deliberation of his appointment, Dizon also admitted that the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) may not be viable as most jeepney drivers have to borrow money to acquire a new unit.

Dizon said a modernized jeepney unit costs roughly between P2.5 million to P2.8 million, of which 15% to be subsidized by the government. Drivers will shoulder an estimated P40,000 monthly amortization if the loan amount is payable in five years.

"To be quite honest, madam Senator, if given the present state of the modernization and kung itutuloy tuloy, tingin ko po, ‘yung fact na hindi na hindi na nakakabayad ng utang ang karamihan sa mga bumili ng bagong mga bagong sasakyan eh that is a clear sign that it is not viable in its present state,” he said upon the interpellation of Senator Grace Poe.

The Transportation chief acknowledged that transport cooperatives and operators were given "limited" loaning options with the PTMP.

"Pero nakita namin sa aming mga konsultasyon na...marami po sa mga local distributors, manufacturers ay willing mag-supply," Dizon said.

(But we’ve seen in our consultations that many of the local distributors, manufacturers are willing to supply.)

He said the DOTr has also come up with several interventions in a bid to address the problem.

Initiated in 2017, the PTMP—formerly the PUV Modernization Program—seeks to replace old jeepneys with Euro 4-compliant models to reduce pollution and improve road safety. 

However, the cost of a modern jeepney exceeds P2 million, a price deemed too steep even by government financial institutions.

The program mandated the consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations. Unconsolidated units were classified as colorum and were subject to penalties. — RSJ/VDV, GMA Integrated News