Grace Poe: Spend light rail budget or face ‘criminal neglect’

Senator Grace Poe. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

Senator Grace Poe warned transport officials on Monday that it would be “criminal neglect” if they fail to utilize the budget allocated this year to improve the Metro Manila’ railway system.

At the resumption of the Senate subcommittee on public services investigation into the perennial problems of Metro Manila’s railway system, Poe reminded transport officials, especially the management of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), of their promises to improve passenger comfort.

“Bago natin simulan ang mga komplikadong bagay, itatanong din natin ang estado ng mga bagay na dapat naayos na rin katulad ng mga escalator , elevator, escalator, tubig, palikuran…” said Poe, who chairs the committee.

“Hindi na natin kelangan ang doctorate degree or engineering kung mavu-vulcaseal ba ang mga tumutlong bubong ng MRT, kung may handrails ba sa loob ng bagon? Ayos ba ang air-conditioning? Tapos isusunod natin ang maintenance issues, mga repair works.”

Poe said these were “deliverables” under the 2015 budget and these should have been implemented by now.

“It will be criminal neglect if funds appropriated for MRT improvement are not spent by this time. Underspending leads to train overloading and train under speeding. In nine weekends, the present national budget will expire, so by this you have at least obligated the funds given to you,” she said.

“Ako po ay umaasa na makakatanggap ng mabuting balita ukol dito mula sa ating mga kaibigan sa MRT management. Kasi noong huli nating pagkikita ang pangko nyo, itaga po ninyo sa bato, by third quarter mas maayos na ang maraming bagay dyan,” she further said.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was among the resource persons present during the hearing.