DOTC is Ready for the 3rd MRT-3 Bidding Process

       The Department of Transportation and Communications is on the verge of uncertainty after they failed in their second bidding process for the maintenance of the MRT-3. It seems that the no companies became interested in the contract. Maybe they realized that they would never make a high profit out of it although the government will pay about million pesos to the lucky contractor.  Of course, they need to release their own money for the maintenance and they knew that the MRT-3 is already too old. It means that there are many mechanical problems that they need to fix. They need a lot of efforts just to maintain the MRT-3.

Despite of the second failed bidding, Sec. Emilio Abaya is still confident that they would attract the interest of potential bidders to pass their proposal letters with them. Hence, they extended the deadline; it already started on January 23 until February 6. Does the time frame of the DOTC is already enough for the maintenance providers to decide if they want to work with the government? I don’t think so.

This is the problem with the DOTC, they are always in a hurry, but the problem is they don’t accomplish anything. Like when they plan to take over the MRT-3 because according to them they wanted to lessen the subsidy that they are paying for every train commuter. But it was also became failed after the Congress didn’t support it. Then, they decided to implement fare increase in MRT-LRT with the same reason although they have a poor service. They have been criticized by the public; they don’t fix the problems in MRT-3 before they made the fare increase. Sec. Abaya said they need to do this for the maintenance of the MRT-3. But the Congress was already allotted a budget for the train maintenance that is included in our national budget. So, they need additional budget for that and they will get it from the train commuters?

For sure, if there are still no companies would join in the bidding process; the DOTC will still retain the service of APT Global. And we knew that they are not giving the right service for the MRT. It also means that the mechanical problems will just continue. Let us hope that there are maintenance providers would join in their third bidding process. We should also hope that ‘kumpadre and kamag-anak system’ would not prevail. They just select the best company that will suit to the work in MRT-3. But whoever they are, good luck to them!

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? 

The Controversial MRT-LRT Fare Increase

        Department of Transportation and Communications Sec. Emilio Abaya is in the midst of controversial after he ordered to increase the fare in MRT and LRT. His department didn’t release any announcement regarding this plan. In other words, there were not conducted a public consultation. They only announced it on Christmas holiday last year. The militant groups are questioning the action of Sec. Abaya. For them, it is very clear that their action is violating the law. They assumed that this is a part of his dirty tactics to make their hidden agenda. It is possible that they will use it to solicit funds for the 2016 national election. Based on a report, Sec. Abaya is acting now as a president of Liberal Party which is the affiliate political party of President Aquino. Hmm, something smells fishy here.

            The militant groups especially Bayan Muna already filed a complaint in high court. They requested a temporary restraining order to stop the MRT-LRT increase, but unfortunately it was ignored by the high court. Hence, the Malacañang claimed that the action of the DOTC is really correct. Their position is the public should see the importance of the MRT-LRT increase because the government didn’t make any increase for how many years. Their aim is to lessen the subsidy that they are paying for ever train commuters. They also emphasized that they will use the money for the development and maintenance of our train system. Aside from these, they wanted to give a fund to our countrymen in Visayas and Mindanao especially the Yolanda survivors.

            It seems that Sec. Abaya is fooling the train commuters. Why? First, the Congress has already allotted a budget for the maintenance of MRT which included in our 2015 national budget. If this is not enough, why he didn’t ask to Congress for additional budget? The Senate said that it was enough to cover up all the expenses for the maintenance of MRT. Secondly, it is not a duty of DOTC to give funds to help the typhoon victims. It is a duty of DSWD, NDRRMC and other government agencies. They should only focus on transportation; don’t meddle to the things that they are not beyond their responsibilities. And one of their major responsibility is to serve the public commuters. This time it seems that they are thirsty to earn money from them through MRT-LRT increase.

            By the way, the fare increase is a sole decision of the DOTC. The Metro Rail Transport Corp. had no part when they created about that decision. The truth is, the DOTC is not consulting the private investors before they ratify their decision.

MRTand LRT Fare Hike: A Burden for the Train Commuters

                The Department of Transportation and Communications is still in the midst of criticism because of the MRT and LRT fare hike. Instead to bring good news to this Christmas season, the fare increase serves as their gift to the commuters. They will welcome 2015 with a heavy heart. Of course, the public are not happy to the decision of DOTC Sec. Emilio Abaya. For them, he just proved that he has no concern to the train commuters. The secretary is just thinking about money and he doesn’t care about their situation. Sen. Grace Poe is right when she said that the DOTC became insensitive with their decision.

                Sec. Abaya stated that it is about time to increase the fare in MRT because its fare became stagnant for many years. Their operation expenses were tremendously increased, so they need to make some adjustment to recover their expenses. He emphasized that the government is paying high subsidy for the train commuters. He wanted to point out that the government doesn’t earn from MRT/LRT. They mean that this time, they want to earn from it? Although what they are doing is an obligation- to provide a comfortable mass transportation like MRT and LRT.

                The train commuters don’t want to accept the explanation of Sec. Abaya why they need to implement fare hike in MRT-3. He said that they will use the earnings for the improvement of our train system. If I were Sec. Abaya, I would improve first the MRT line before I ask for fare hike. For sure, no one can’t complain because they already seen the result of their work. Instead to get additional funds from the commuters, why don’t they use the government’s fund? The Congress allotted fund for that in our 2015 national budget.

                Sec. Abaya also said that their department wanted to give funds for the residents of Visayas and Mindanao. He emphasized that only the Metro Manila residents are gaining benefits in MRT and LRT. How about the people from those two parts of our country?  I’ve got his point, but even without DOTC, there are many government agencies that could help our countrymen from those areas if this is the concern of Sec. Abaya.

                By the way, the investor of MRT-3 which is the Metro Rail Transit Corporation has no involvement about the fare hike. The truth is, the DOTC is not consulting them whatever their plan in MRT line. So, the commuters should erase the idea that the MRT investors would gain benefit from that increase. For sure, if the MRTC would ask for fare hike they will improve the MRT line first. Former MRTC chief is willing to work hand in hand with the DOTC, but Sec. Abaya doesn’t want to cooperate with them. Instead, they wanted to kick out MRTC on their way that’s why he is still not surrender the MRT buyout. Sec. Abaya said, he needs to follow this because this is his mandate from the President. But how they could do that? The Senate didn’t allot funds for the MRT buyout unless they will use the money that they will get from fare hike to pursue their plan although many people has a doubt if the DOTC can handle properly the operation of the MRT-3. 

Who Wants to be the Next Maintenance Provider in MRT-3?

            What’s happening to the system of Department of Transportation and Communications? It seems that the business sectors doesn’t want to work with them. Recently, the agency declared that their bidding process for the 2.2 billion maintenance contract of the MRT3 was postponed because their potential bidders didn’t pass their proposals. Hernando Cabrera, spokesperson of the DOTC said that they will make some revisions to the contract they made to attract companies to join in bidding process. He also said, they estimated that they would finish the revision before the end of the year.

            The private companies said that the contract is very unfair for them because the DOTC imposed to pay a huge amount if they make any mistakes to their maintenance service.There is a tendency that Sec. Jun Abaya would blame them although the transit is already aging like what he did in MRT mishap that happened last August. He said that what the caused of accident was due to the negligence of the MRT driver and not because of mismanagement of the government.

            We should not surprise why the DOTC experienced a  failed bidding for the maintenance of the MRT. Maybe the potential bidders realized that it is not worth it to handle that such kind of project. It is possible that they may lose because of the penalty that the DOTC wants to impose. Maybe they also felt that in the end, the current secretary would not give the right support to execute their job smoothly. As what they saw, Sec. Abaya is very busy from acting as a promoter for the presidential bid of his ally DILG Sec. Mar Roxas. Yeah, 2016 is very near, but he should focus his attention to develop our train system. It is not the right time to involved in politics. There are many problems that the DOTC should fix to lessen the burden of the commuters. Don’t mimic the acts of some of the allies of P-Noy administration who are very busy from attacking their enemies in politics rather than to perform their job effectively. It is obvious that they just want to look clean although they have their own dirt on their face.

            At least, the DOTC already learned their lesson. In previous years, they were not undergo in bidding process when they chose their own maintenance provider. If we remember, Fil-Estate head and former MRT chief Roberto Sobrepena accused the DOTC for violating their BLT agreement which stating that only the MRTC has the right to choose any bidder for the development projects in MRT3. Bob Sobrepena emphasized that the government didn’t follow the rule when they hired the services of PhilTrams and the APT Global which until now is still working as their maintenance provider. If the government would not find a new maintenance provider, of course, they don’t have any choice except APT Global. We already knew that they are not sufficient with their service. So, why would you continue to hire them? This is not a problem for the DOTC because they are treating them as an ally compare their relationship with MRTC which is as cold as a stone. MRTC is the owner of MRT3 and they are under of MRT Holdings which is composed of different private companies.

            The government should find an expert maintenance provider. They should not base their decision with the price, but look to the capability of the company. If they need to increase their offering price, do it to attract the companies to bid. Of course, they should only limit their budget. What I mean to say is make a win-win solution, both for the government and to the maintenance provider. They should also consult to the owner of MRT3 before they make a final decision. 

Thoughts on MRT3 Buyout

            The Department of Transportation and Communications(DOTC) headed by Sec. Jun Abaya is pushing to buyout MRT3. He said that it is about time to takeover the whole operation of the MRT3 which is a privately owned of MRTC. MRT Holdings are composed of different private companies such as Fil Estate, Ayala Land, Ramos Family of National Bookstore and many more.

            The government  wants to buyout MRT3  to stop paying equipment rental fee to the private company. The secretary explained that the Equity Value Buyout (EVBO)  is legal because it was ordered by our own President under Executive Order No. 167 S. 2013. According to Sec. Abaya’s calculation; they will be owned 100% percent of the MRT3 in the first week of January 20015.

            Sec. Abaya also said that they are willing to pay MRTC for about 54 billion pesos for the takeover of MRT3. The secretary stressed that they based this computation according to the formula provided in the BLT agreement. So, he doesn’t want to negotiate to the MRT Holdings. It seems that he want to say to say that ‘take it or leave it.’ But according to the side of former MRTC Chief Roberto Sobrepena, the offering price of the government is not enough to buy the MRT. In 2009, the price of the line was already $2.5 billion or estimated roughly about 110 billion pesos. Sec. Abaya should know the real price of the MRT before they could offer any amount to buyout the MRT3. Sec. Abaya is trying to fool MRTC; he said that they will pay 54 billion pesos, but they already owned a 27 billion worth of bonds.  So, where is the logic behind their offering price?

            Some of the law-makers were expressing their resistance to the MRT3 buyout plan of the government. Because they will get the money to the 2015 national budget. They were asking Sec. Abaya, why not use the money to for other important things such health, education, etc? The lawmakers also suggested that the DOTC should let private companies to handle the MRT line. In short words, be practical. That’s right! Instead to overtake the MRT3, the government should extend their hands to help the MRT Holdings. Don’t use MRT as a vehicle of personal interest. In a previous interview, Bob Soprepena already expressed that MRTC was ready to work hand in hand with the government.

            Does Sec. Abaya has a genuine concern to the commuters that’s why they he wants to buyout the MRT? Or he just want to control the operation of MRT to protect their allied companies? DOTC already ignored the BLT agreement, an agreement between the government and MRT Holdings in just behalf of their own maintenance providers such Phl Trams and APT Global. There is a report saying that APT Global and the government have an agreement that the company should include the spare parts in their service. But APT Global is not providing any spare parts. Then, the government is paying their maintenance provider for about 1.4 million dollars per month. Sec. Abaya should explain this, why he let this to be happened?

            Now, the question is, should the government push their plan to overtake the MRT3? It sounds pretty cool, but this is not a wise move. There is no problem to MRTC; the problem is in the leadership of DOTC.  They have their own decisions and they don’t even consulting their private business partner that’s why the  situation in MRT became worst.

              

Yes to MRT Shut Down!

            It is talk of the town that the government has a plan to temporary shut down the MRT to avoid another accident like what happened last August where 38 people had been injured. As what we heard in the past few weeks, MRT had confronted problems with their operation. Department of Transportation and Communications Sec. Jun Abaya said that the railroads of MRT has many defective steel bars. That’s why they need to shut down the MRT to fix the railroads.

            As a commuter, I agree to the decision of the government although I need to sacrifice for a long period of time. Maybe this is not a best idea; but they really need to do this. It is better to wait rather than to put ourselves in danger. We just admit that MRT is the easiest way to come faster to our destinations. Although you will experience first many hassles before you reach to your destination. The government should not operate MRT until they will not fix it. Why you offer a service if you know that it is not safe anymore? If you’re a bus or a jeepney operator; you make sure that your units are in good condition before you use it on the road. Same to MRT; if you don’t have a safety measure, you’re also putting the lives of your passengers into danger. If the government will continue use MRT even they knew it has many defectives; the lives of thousands Filipino are also in danger. So, we should sacrifice for the temporary shut down of MRT although it will give us headache.

            Even Metro Trail Transit Corp. (MRTC) are also agreed to the suggestion of the government. By the way, MRTC is owned by MRT Holdings which is composed of private companies like Ayala Land, Fil Estate, Family Ramos of National Bookstore, etc. If the MRT owners already agreed, what can we do? The private entities just thinking the situation of the public commuters. They are ready to sacrifice their own interest for the sake of the passengers although they are not the one who did a mistake why the system of MRT became defective. It is the fault of DOTC because they made a lot of wrong decisions for the MRT operation.

            The government and MRTC had BLT agreement in 1999 after they entered in a public-private partnership. According to their agreement, as the owner of MRT3, MRT Holdings has only the right to choose any bidder for the development of the train system. Aside from that, only them has the right to choose their own maintenance provider. But the government violated that rules. Instead, the government chose an another maintenance provider. First, they gave a contract to Phl Trams and after that they passed the contract on  Autre Porte Technique Global Inc’s (APT Global). The government also ordered rail coaches to the Chinese company and it will be delivered next year.

            Last month, the contract of APT Global had already finished, but the government has extended their contract. So, let’s find out if the maintenance provider could fix properly all the defective steel bars. They should prove to the public that the government is not wrong when they decided to extend their contract. For the mean time, let us wait and see what happens next...

Revelation on the MRT Senate Hearing

             Recently, a Senate hearing conducted aiming to investigate the problems in MRT3. In front of the senators and media, MRTC and DOTC explained their sides to clarify the issue. It is still in our memories the train accident that happened last August. In that accident, 38 people had been injured. The public has mixed reactions about what they heard on the Senate hearing. Some were confused, but others already understood what’s the root cause of the problems in MRT3 and they already knew who should be blamed.

            Sen. Chiz Escudero reprimanded both camps; based on his observations the problem with them is they are not talking to each other. It seems that they don’t knew each other. Instead to talk to chose to file a case against each other. But it is not simple as that as what Sen. Escudero said. For sure, his will not be happen if there has no deep reason.

            According to the Department of Transportation and Communications Sec. Jun Abaya, his department is always talking to the new head of MRTC which is also a government official. The government has 70 shares to MRTC Holdings while the 30 percent owned by private companies including Fil-Estate. Of course, the new MRTC chief will not contradict with their plans because he is also a government people. But how about the private companies who also a part of MRTC?

           The former MRTC Chief Robert Sobrepena also denied that they are not talking to DOTC. As a matter of fact, they already sent three proposals to the government in 2004, 2008 and 2010. In their letter, they wrote that they wanted to buy additional new trains for the development of MRT3. But DOTC ignored their proposals because what they want was just to buy second hand units. Bob Soprepena was right with their decision because instead they should develop the system, it could only be ruined. Now, the government is blaming MRTC to all the failures that happening in MRT3. If they only follow the recommendation of their business partners, maybe there will be no accident could happen.

            Mr. Sobrepena also stated that aside from rejecting of DOTC with their proposals, the government also violated their BLT agreement. In 2012, DOTC terminated the contract of their original maintenance provider which was the Sumitomo Corp. of Japan. For Sobrepena this is a big factor why the service of MRTC becomes worst. During the time of Sumitomo, they don’t experienced major problems in MRT3. But APT Global, the maintenance provider of the government defended themselves. According to company’s representative, they don’t have a fault because they are just maintaining the train. The problem is about the engineering issue, it doesn’t have a connection with the maintenance. The representative blamed DOTC for they are the operator of MRT3.

            Hope that the Senate hearing about MRT issues would get a good result. It is not enough to point out who’s the real responsible for the defective system of MRT. But they should develop it for the benefits of the commuters. Before this, the government should fix their problem with MRTC...

The Issue of Corruption in MRT3

             What’s happening to the officials of the Aquino administration? Some of them are involved in the anomaly like DBM Sec. Butch Abad, PNP Director General Alan Purisima and now, DOTC Sec. Jun Abaya faces another controversy because of the corruption that he involved in MRT. Is this what they called ‘matuwid na daan’?

            On Sept. 25, the DOJ Field Investigation Office (FIO) has formally announced that as of now they are investigating the secretary and some of his allies in DOTC, including the former MRT chief Al Vitangcol. The DOJ accepted many complaints against them and this is the time that they would take an action. If FIO will find a probable cause they will file a case in the court to persecute them. We should hope that the DOJ would not be influenced by Malacanang with their decision. Because as what we have heard, instead to castigate their officials who involved in anomaly; they are only protecting them.

            By the way, why the FIO investigates the Vitangcol and Abaya corruption? They will not do this if they don’t smells something fishy about their leadership. For a short background, the government entered into a public-private partnership (PPP) when they operate MRT3. It was built by MRTC; this company is composed of different private companies. Those MRT Holdings are the owner of MRT3 and not the government. And now, the government wants to take over the MRT3 operation and maintenance. Before this DOTC made a lot of mistakes against their business partner. The department didn’t follow the rules written to their BLT agreement in 1999. It is said that only the MRTC has the right to choose any bidder to develop the train system. But what happened is the government bypassed MRTC to push their own preference.

            According to MRTC Chief Bob Sobrepena, when Somitomo, former maintenance provider of MRT3 finished their contract; they had a plan to extend the service of this company because of their excellent performance. But all of a sudden, DOTC got another maintenance provider which was Phl Trams without any public bidding and consultation to MRTC. During that time, this company was only a two month old and they had only a capital about 625,000. Why they gave such a huge contract to a newbie if there was no under the table involved? If not, it was about ‘kumpadre system’ because according to the report, one of the board members of Phl Trams is a relative of Mr. Vitangcol.

            DOTC also set aside the rights of MRTC to choose a maintenance provider when they hired the service of APT Global. This is the reason why MRT3 is facing a mechanical problem because only MRTC knows which company is compatible with their own train system. Then, when MRT3 faced an accident, Sec. Abaya pointed his finger on them. He can’t accept the reality that what happened was a fruit of their negligence or mismanagement. To comfort the  commuters, the government just announced that purchasing of the new trains is their solution to the problem. Maybe this is good, but it has no guarantee that accidents could happen it again. The old train came from Czech Republic, but the government will buy new rail coaches to China. What if the rail coaches from China doesn’t compatible to the train system here? According to some report, trains from China has low quality. The Singapore government and other countries already bought trains from them and they also encountered major problems. It is no also assured, even if the government will take over the full operstion of MRT3, it doesn’t mean that they would also fix our train system. How can they do that, if the leader in DOTC is not sufficient to his post. So, goodluck to the government and commuters!

MRTC Open to Possible Settlement With DOTC

            The problem about MRT 3 is not yet resolved because the government doesn’t make a way to settle it.It seems that they are very relaxed that they can fix easily our train system by buying new train couches. While waiting for it, they don’t have any plan how to improve MRT3 although they knew that the commuters are suffering from their poor services. Plus, their fight between MRTC has not yet still finish. But right now Bob Sobrepena of MRTC is making a way to consilidate with the government, despite of the facts that their camp has been ignored for many times.

            In Sobrepena’s first live interview about MRT, he said that the MRTC is open to settle their conflict with the government. Aside from that, he also explained about their situation. He has said that since then, they had made many proposals to the government on how to improve our train system.But the government was not very supportive with their plans. For example, in 2004, they had a proposal for DOTC that they would like to buy 48 brand new trains. They got the approval of NEDA; but DOTC ignored their proposal instead they just wanted to buy second hand trains.In 2010, they had also a proposal that they will upgrade the train system and take over the operation with the Metro Pacific at no cost to the government.  But DOTC didn’t make any action on this proposal.

            MRT3 was built by MRTC which is composed of different private companies like Astoria, Anglo, Railco, Sheridan, Fil-Estate, Emerging Allied, DBH Inc. The MRT holdings owns 100% of MRTC. The government is only leasing the MRT because all the system is owned by MRTC. The lease agreement will last for 25 years. According to BLT agreement, MRTC is assigned to the train maintenance while the government will be the one who can operate it.

            The problem began in MRT3 when the government didn’t follow the BLT agreement. In this agreement, it is said that the MRTC has the only right to choose any bidders to maintain MRT. Instead, when the service contract of Sumimoto, a maintenance group chosen by MRTC; the government appointed another maintenance provider which is APT Global without any prior consultation to MRTC. They had a plan to extend the contract of Sumimoto because of their good performance. But how they can do this, the government has already signed a contract for APT Global? Since then, the maintenance of the MRT3 has been suffered. The major accidents happened under that maintenance provider like the mishap in the MRT happened last August this year.

            It also written in BLT agreement that MRTC has the sole right to buy any equipment to develop the train system. But again, the government didn’t follow this when they decided to buy new 48 new couches from a Chinese company. The MRTC owns the system; so, the government should get the approval of MRTC before they buy any new train to check the compatibility with their system to avoid major problems in the near future. Aside from this the MRTC didn’t know that the government wants to buy out MRT3; they only read it in newspapers. It is very clear that the governmet doesn’t make their effort to talk with their partners under Public-Private Partnership.

            Hope that the government would do their part to settle the problem over MRT3. This time they should listen to MRTC since they already shown that they are willing to solve their conflict with the government. They should make cooperate with each other for the sake of the commuters.

DOTC Versus MRTC: The Blame Game

                The battle between the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Metro Rail Transport Company (MRTC) is continuing. They are blaming each other, who made the mistakes, why the service of MRT3 became worst. Recently, the commuters  really disturbed because the train has always been damaged. The DOTC already ordered the train experts to inspect the true condition of MRT3. The government has a plan to overtake the full operation of MRT3.

                DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya pointed out that the MRTC didn’t do their obligation.  They didn’t buy any new rail coaches, crucial signaling system and didn’t upgrade its ticketing system. He emphasized that the government pays them for the rental fee for about 35 billion since 2000. So, the MRTC has no reason to develop their service. But MRTC Chairman Robert John Sobrepena answered the allegation of Sec. Abaya. He said that the government is the one who are not doing their obligation. They are always delayed with their rental payment to MRTC. So, how can they buy new equipments if  this is the system of the government?

                In the first place,the government didn’t comply the BLT (build-lease-transfer)  agreement in 1997. Based on the agreement,  the government must pay an equity rental fees to the MRTC and they will also get a 15 % on their return on investment (ROI). But what happened? They didn’t follow this agreement; they are not paying MRTC at the right time. The government also didn’t comply with their first agreement regarding about the fare.  In 1999, the approved fare would be 30 pesos per passenger but the government decreased it in 10-15 pesos. The train was designed only for 300,000 passenger, but the ridership was increased to 400,000. If we will look at this context, the MRT3 gave way for the benefits of the passengers. Beside that, it is really a big burden for them to hold and improve the train system without the cooperation of the government. They already proposed a lot of plans on how they improved the MRT3, but they always rejected their recommendations. And now the government is putting all the blame on them. As an investor in MRT3, where is the justice here?

                MRTC has a point with their sentiments, because of their conflict with the government; they decided to take over the operation of MRT3. But before the government could implement this, they need to solve a lot of problems. Not only in improving the train system in our country. But they need to win over the arbitration case in Singapore filed by MRTC because of the delayed rental payments. The MRTC also filed a case against them  for rewarding a 86.7 million dollars contract for a CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Company. This Chinese company will supply new 48 rail couches for the MRT3. Again, the government didn’t follow the BLT agreement. Based on their agreement, only the MRTC has the right to choose any bidders in MRT3 transactions. They are the one who built the MRT3, but it seems that they don’t have a right for what they invested.

The Twisted Direction of EDSA MRT-3

           The derailment of the EDSA-MRT 3 last Wendsday at Taft station made panic and furious to the public. Thirty eighty people had been injured in this accident. The passengers believed that it is not safe anymore to ride in MRT. Despite of this they are still riding in MRT, not because this it would give them convenience, but this is the easy way to reach their destination although it is unsafe and overcrowded.

            Well, what happened to MRT-3 is because of mismanagement and lack of proper maintenance. Instead to take the responsibility of the accident, DOTC Sec. Jun Abaya said that it was an error due to the negligence of the drivers. According to him, it is still safe to ride in MRT, but still it is our personal decision if we will ride in MRT. It seems that Sec. Abaya forgot that he is a public official. It is not appropriate to hear from him such shallow answer.If he is a man enough, he should take the whole responsibility of that accident and he should not blame the drivers. It happened because of the poor maintenance of PH Trans-Vitangcol group.

            The Metro Pacific (a unit of PLDT) has already offered their service to the Philippine government that they will shoulder all expenses in buying new trains plus they will also take the responsibility to maintain it. The company believed that the MRT trains purchased by our government to the Chinese contractors are unsafe, so they need to replace it.  If the government agreed, all they have to do is to adjust the fare, but it is still cheaper compare to the bus fare. That was a very good proposal from Metro Pacific; the sad thing is the government turned down their offer. Without thinking that it might solve their problems. It could improve our train system, then the passengers would also be comfortable. Plus the fact that they don’t need to release any buget for that because there was a private sector willing to invest their money for the development of EDSA sub-standard train system.

            Once, the Metro Trail Transit Corporation (MRTC), a company under Metro Rail Transit Holdings (MRTG) requested to DOTC that they will conduct a technical inspection to MRT-3, but they didn’t allow them although their intention was to know the true  condition of the train system. It seems that Sec. Abaya don’t want to make any improvement in MRT-3. Does his loyalty belongs to their allied company? Instead to have a commitment to the Filipino people, especially to the residence of Metro Manila who rides in MRT.

BCDA President Arnel Casanova: A Different Partnership

            There’s nothing in writing an open letter; many people are doing this. They want the public to read their sentiment. But before you do this, make sure that there’s have no issue that will be thrown to you. They can use your words against you. Beside that, extend your effort  to talk the person or group that you’re preferring for. Don’t ask for the attention of the media first. This was what happened to Bases Conservation and Development Authority (BCDA) President Arnel Casanova who wrote an open letter that addressed to Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan. Instead to talk Mayor Domogan privately, the BCDA president made a noise through his letter.

            President Casanova stated in his letter that his agency is a friend to Baguio City people. He pointed out some of their contributions to Baguio City like giving revenue to their local government. Plus, they improve some tourist spot in Baguio City and through this they generated employment. Maybe the head of BCDA wrote this to show that their agency has an importance or significance to every people in Baguio. So, the local government should recognize this.But President Casanova is only four years in BCDA. Before this, the local government has no big issue with this agency. Instead to cooperate with their other partner like Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo), Casanova filed estafa against to the their president. They had also a case in the trial court because they want to prevent the city government from collecting business taxes in the facility.

            Mayor Domogan was not impressed to the letter of President Casanova. Maybe the mayor didn’t feel the sincerity Casanova. His motive was very questionable. Instead, to face in negotiating table, he chose to write an open letter. Mayor Domogan admitted the claims of Casanova; but it is not enough to say that they do all of their obligations in local government. Because the BCDA is not giving to the local government their 25 shares from the leased rental they earned.  They didn’t also disclosed how much they earn from Ayala Techno Hub and they didn’t even pay single centavo to the city government.

            If there’s a sincere with the two camps, that was Mayor Domogan. Casanova maybe is telling the truth but he didn’t mention many things, only the positive side. But how about the negative one like Mayor Domogan’s statement in his letter. BCDA, CJHDevCo has been partners since 1996. So, what’s the problem behind this issue, it is not about BCDA, but it could be referred to their president who are not very cooperative with their partners. We know that in every partnership, cooperation is a must. Without this, you can’t achieve any good results.

Who Benefited from DAP?

              P-Noy is appealing to the Supreme Court to change their decision about the Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP. They declared it as illegal, but he want it to make legal. He defended that DAP is using for growth of our country. He stated that they have many projects funded by that controversial funds. It seems that the President is protecting his allies especially Budget Secretary Butch Abad and even Interior Secretary  Mar Roxas. Why he still insisting to carry out it again if it is illegal? What’s his motive for pursuing it? Maybe they don’t want to put in end because they are benefiting from it.

The Legality of DAP in the Eyes of P-Noy

 The Supreme Court has already made their decision; they said that Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP is unconstitutional. But President Aquino instead to accept it, he was attacked the high court during his National Address held on July 14, 2014. He said that DAP is not really illegal and it is based on our constitution. The said fund is just a saving of the government and the Aquino Administration is using it for any important projects. They don’t need to wait for too long before they can take an action because it doesn’t undergo on the Congress to release the fund.

Traffic: Is it Good or Bad to Our Economy?

                     
  Recently, Pres. Benigno Aquino III said that traffic is a sign that the Philippine economy is booming. For him, it only shows that many Filipino families are improving their lives because they can afford to buy a vehicle. It is so good to hear these words from our president if his observation is realistic. Maybe he is only giving an applause to his administration; under his governance, he made a great contribution to the lives of many Filipino people. He and his cabinets are claiming that the economic growth of our country was dramatically increased.

DOH New TV Commercial about Family Planning, an Awareness to Lessen Poverty?

              Have you already watched the new campaign of the Department of Health about family planning? In a TV commercial, there’s a young lady singing about the situation of their family. At first, they were only a few, but every year her mother born a child until they become twelve. Because of this their life becomes miserable. Their parents can’t provide all of their needs.