Senator calls out DoTr chief on better MRT service by end-Feb.

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

SENATOR GRACE Poe-Llamanzares on Sunday said she expects better services in the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) by the end of February following assurances by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade on the arrival of new spare parts for the train system.

“We are all getting impatient already. But I guess our deadline for Secretary Tugade is his promise that by February the situation will be better upon the arrival of the spare parts,” she said in a radio interview.

Mr. Tugade had earlier appealed for understanding to the public after fewer MRT trains operated in the past weeks due to maintenance issues, causing longer passenger queues and a decline in the average number of passengers.

Commuters interviewed for this story bared adjusting to the difficulties of commuting via the MRT, by alternating their mode of commuting or doing their work before reporting to their offices to avoid the rush hour.

Mr. Tugade said the spare parts they ordered last December will start arriving in January.

In her radio interview, as also issued in a press statement on Sunday, Ms. Llamanzares said the government should also consider long-term solutions to address the problems hounding the busiest train system if it continuously fails to improve its services.

“They could mull over whether they will invite another third party or they will privatize it,” Ms. Llamanzares said in Filipino.

She added that if government chooses to privatize the MRT, then it should monitor train fares and review any move to hike fares.

Ms. Llamanzares also urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to fast-track its search for a reliable maintenance service provider.

The government took over the maintenance of the MRT last November after it canceled its contract with maintenance contractor Busan Universal Rail, Inc. (BURI)

“They have many press releases, one of which says that Sumitomo is considering taking over. But nothing is definitive….We don’t know for sure. There are conflicting reports. I want to hear it from Secretary Tugade himself about the actual plan,” the senator said in Filipino.

Ms. Llamanzares also called on the Ombudsman to expedite the cases against former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya for entering into disadvantageous contracts over the MRT trains and the former maintenance provider.

She said she was poised to draft another committee report to discuss in detail the accountability of Mr. Abaya and other former transportation officials.

“We don’t want revenge. We just want accountability,” Ms. Llamanzares said.