DOTC: The Failed Bidding Process and Fare Hike

For the second time around, the Department of Transportationand Communications invited potential bidders to pass their proposal for the maintenance of MRT-3. Unfortunately, no bidders show off to their invitation. Other bidders said that it seems that they will be aggravated when they commit their company to the DOTC. The department is very strict with their rules that the private companies that’s why they retract their plan to join in bidding process.

                Sec. Emilio Abaya admitted that they became strict with their rules. This is to make sure that the government would not put in uncertainty. Sec. Abaya said that there is a possibility if they would declare emergency if they conduct another bidding process and then no companies would be appeared again. They may talk to one company and offer the maintenance work to them. It means that they have the right to choose their own maintenance provider. Like what they did in previous years when they chose APT Global although it is against to the BLT agreement that they signed.

                The critics of Sec. Abaya has a doubt that the DOTC is just manipulating the bidding process to give favor to the company that they wanted to work with. They concluded that the government implemented a fare increase in MRT-LRT to use it in 2016 national election. For our information, Sec. Abaya serves as acting president of the Liberal Party which is the political affiliation of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

                The public noticed that Sec. Abaya is very aggressive with his decisions. First, he wanted to takeover the MRT-3 from Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) which is the real owner of the MRT-3. But the plan has been rejected by the Congress when they didn’t not release a fund for that. Instead, the Congress release a fund for the maintenance of the MRT-3. So, it’s hard to believe that Sec. Abaya imposed a fare increase because they will use it for the maintenance of the MRT-3. Tell it to the marine, Sir! You can’t fool the train commuters.

                Now, the secretary doesn’t want to retract the fare increase despite of the sentiments of the train commuters. Hence, they found out that he and his allies are not real serving for the people, but for their own personal interest. If the DOTC has a genuine concern for us, they will not add another burden. Instead, they will make a way to give us comfort by providing us an excellent service. Unlike today, they imposed fare increase, but they don’t make any improvement to our train system. The question is, how much money involved here?