Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Good news: the government is buying additional coaches for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Bad news: the sale was blocked by the courts.
“More coaches would mean lesser time to travel. More coaches mean going home earlier than usual. Unfortunately, there’s a case now before the courts,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a Palace press briefing Thursday.
Lacierda said the government wanted to acquire new coaches to address the long lines at the MRT. However, the Makati Regional Trial Court temporarily halted the purchase of 48 light rail vehicles from China-based Dalian Locomotives because of a petition filed by the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) questioning the contract.
The spokesperson said the Department of Transportation and Communication is now looking at other proposals as they wait for the court’s decision.
Lacierda also dismissed fears that the long lines will be used as an excuse to push for the MRT fare hike.
“There’s no connection. What we actually want is to immediately acquire additional coaches,” he said.
The MRTC, in its petition, said the DOTC violated their “preferential right to supply” under their build, lease and transfer (BLT) contract by acquiring coaches from another company. The court upheld their argument and issued a temporary restraining order, saying that the MRTC had neither breached its obligation or gave its consent to the DOTC to purchase coaches from Dalian Locomotives.
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