MRT-7 contractor fined P25K for violating agreement

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has slapped a P25,000 fine against the Metro Rail Transit-7 (MRT-7) contractor for occupying additional lanes on Commonwealth Avenue last week without prior notice, resulting in heavy traffic in the area.

Jojo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for planning, said that EEI Corp. failed to coordinate with them about the deployment of a crane near UP AyalaLand Technohub.

The heavy equipment occupied two additional lanes and inconvenienced a lot of motorists because the MMDA was not able to prepare a rerouting scheme, he added.

“Before they started construction, we had an agreement on [what lanes they would be] allowed to be occupied,” Garcia said.

Should the contractor fail to inform the MMDA of any changes and repeatedly violate their agreement, the agency may recommend EEI Corp.’s suspension, he warned. —Jovic Yee