We Cannot Afford The Buyout

The government wants to buy out the Metro Manila Line 3 (MRT) to take over its operation. Their target date is First quarter of this year. But it is impossible if they do that because as of now they had a complaint from Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC). This company filed a suit in arbitration tribunal in Singapore against the Philippine government for throwing all of their rights. The government signed the 1999 BLT agreement that the MRTC. MRTC private shareholders has the right to operate the MRT and they have also a right to choose contractor for the train development.questioning the government: why they gave a contract to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co.? Without any proper consultation on their side; but Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya that said that they are not worried, they are very confident that the buyout will happen.

Bid or No Bid

 The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has declared a failure of bidding for the P2.2-billion maintenance contract for the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) after no bidders showed up.

MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesman Hernando Cabrera said the government is now reviewing the terms of reference of the three-year maintenance contract due to the issues raised by prospective bidders.

Who Gains From MRT 3 Buyout?

There are yet again several controversies surrounding this plan of a buyout. People have wondered why all of the sudden Aquino wants to push through with this expensive buyout which will cost us P56 Billion pesos to complete. Aquino stated that it was to end the huge rental fees the government pays for private sector who owns the MRT3. It was estimated that this buyout will be finalized on the first quarter of 2015.

No To MRT Shutdown

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has backtracked on his proposal for a temporary shutdown of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Even if he didn't backtrack I still wouldn't say yes to this plan. The operations of MRT-3 have been hampered by a series of breakdowns brought about by broken rails, non-working communications system as well as floods. Last Aug. 13, a train overshot the Taft Avenue station and hit a concrete barrier, injuring at least 36 passengers.

The MRT Mess

The Senate public services committee turned into a mediator while the Department of Transportation and Communications chief Joseph Emilio "Jun" Abaya and Fil-Estate and MRT Holdings Chair Roberto Sobrepeña gave their respective sides to the story on the sorry state of the mass rail transit system MRT 3. Bob Sobrepeña revealed MRTC tried four times to buy new trains for the mass rail system as early as 2004, but there was no action on the part of DOTC.