DOTC sec says private MRT shareholders side-track process

DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—With the expansion project of the Metro Rail Transit skidding off the tracks, the government is on the driver’s seat as it lashed out on its private partners.

Secretary Jose Emilio Abaya of the Department of Transport and Communication said that the minority shareholders of the MRT, which are from the private sector, are the ones who are slowing down the expansion of the mass rail transit.

The minority shareholders of the rail transit, which hold 20 percent of the company, filed a temporary order of protection at the Makati Regional Trial Court, which would last for 20 days, which would prohibit the DOTC from purchasing the new trains from Chinese supplier CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co.

“I don’t know what their agenda is, but it’s definitely not for the people,” Abaya said Tuesday morning in an interview with Inquirer Radio 990AM. “I’m an engineer myself and the only solution is to add more trains.”

Abaya added that, despite the case, his office is still optimistic that the decision of Judge Joselito Villarosa of the Makati RTC would go in their favor.

The secretary said that CNR Dalian could fulfill all orders of the DOTC, if the order is finally lifted, before the end of 2016.

Abaya added that a total of 48 train coaches would be delivered in a span of 18 months.