The DOTC is looking for maintenance provider, for the second time that could help the MRT3 operations run smoothly to replace Global-APT (Global Epcom and Autre Porte Technique), the present maintenance company wherein, members of Liberal Party’s involved. Likewise, the same thing had happened on Oct. 28, 2014, in the first bidding. The LRT-1 bidding failed earlier, Oct. 24. So did the one for LRT-2 only last Dec. 23.
With the present situation of rail system and while the government unilaterally raised metro train fares by 50-80 percent, with no upgrade in service or facilities, majority of the people doubting this fare increases would be siphoned into a huge pork barrel fund to finance public works projects through such schemes as the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) rather than to improve in the metro rail system to make it more efficient and safer for commuters to travel between their homes and jobs.
DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya’s Department Order made a gigantic response from every sector of the Philippine society. It created much disappointment to some opposition leaders, train commuters, some Senators and even ordinary Filipino citizens. It has its own way of surprising concerned people while maintaining his stand about the issue. He downplayed the MTR audit team’s warning, stressing that government is addressing the issue on worn out rail tracks and scarcity of spare rails, “We’re not just sitting down on the issue of rails, we are addressing it. We have procured rails, and in fact we are doing more than what MTR is suggesting by replacing 6 kilometers of rails instead of the 1.2 kilometers they suggested.” The DOTC has allotted P81.5 million to procure 608 pieces of new 12-meter steel rails for MRT 3. Pending the awarding of the contract and the supply of the new rails, the MRT 3 is borrowing spare rails from the LRT 2 due to its depleted stocks of spare rails. Aside from the rail replacement, the government is also procuring a new maintenance contractor for the MRT 3 line. The DOTC has recently increased the approved budget for the three-year MRT 3 maintenance contract to P2.4 billion from P2.2 billion allocated during the failed first bidding. The new maintenance provider will be the one to replace worn out rails with new ones.
Likewise, at present, the DOTC’s also open for the consultancy services for MRT3 under its rehabilitation and capacity expansion projects. The consulting firm would provide assistance and guidance in all matters pertaining to operations and maintenance of the MRT3 and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). The consultant would also extend assistance in the conceptualization, implementation, and procurement of any and all programs and projects for MRT3 in an effort to provide a safe, reliable, efficient, convenient, affordable, and efficient mass rail transit system.
Moreover, Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya also published an invitation to bid for the supply and delivery of 60 units of traction motor for MRT3’s Czech-made RT8D5M light rail vehicles (LRVs) worth P91.7 million ($2.08 million). Interested bidders should have completed a single contract similar to the project within the last 20 years and with a value of at least 50% of the project cost.
There was MRT-LRT bidding before but no one showed-up to participate. It has been noted the strict requirements for every bidder to follow while it’s impossible for them to cope-up with penalties.
It’s learned that the government shall welcome unsolicited proposals on how to overhaul MRT3, rather than set bidding terms that supposedly hinder much-needed improvements in the system.
The bidding process with impossible requirements is just a ploy to show to the people that there’s actually an offer? But actually, they preferred the APT-Global to stay?
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