Poe: Demand ‘transparency, accountability’ over leaking LRT coaches

FILE PHOTO: Committee on public services chairperson Senator Grace Poe calls during a privilege speech on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. – Poe said Friday, February 17, 2023, that “transparency and accountability” should be demanded from officials involved in the delivery of leaking Light Rail Transit Line 1 coaches. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — “Transparency and accountability” should be demanded from officials involved in the delivery of leaking Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) coaches, Senator Grace Poe said Friday.

The lawmaker issued the call after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) bared Thursday that 80 of the 120 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for LRT-1 purchased in 2017 and delivered in 2021 could not be used due to water leaks.

“The unused LRT1 coaches due to water leaks show how exasperating the situation can get. Our transportation woes just won’t end,” Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said in a statement.

“We must exact transparency and accountability from those involved in allowing the delivery of the train cars without thorough inspection,” she added.

Poe stressed that the government should urgently address the issue, pointing out the daily struggles of millions of commuters utilizing public transportation such as trains.

READ: Commuters’ nightmare returns: Long lines for zero to few rides

“We will hold true the Department of Transportation to its commitment to [making] the supplier remedy the problem to make the coaches usable,” the senator said.

“The money of the people is involved here. We cannot just let the train cars gather water and rot while millions of commuters go through the daily travails of commuting,” she continued.

The government bought 120 LRVs in 2017 to boost train capacity amid the planned LRT-1 extension project from Baclaran Station in Pasay City to Cavite.

The LRVs were purchased from Mitsubishi Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.

KGA