R3.8-B refund for idle MRT-3 trains, Chinese supplier’s blacklisting sought
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III wants Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stocks Company blacklisted from all government contracts for delivering trains that are incompatible with the Metropolitan Rail Transit (MRT-3) system.
Pimentel, in a statement Saturday, also demanded that the Chinese company return to the government the R3.8 billion paid for the procurement of the trains.
Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stocks Co. supplied the 48 light rail vehicles (LRVs) to the MRT-3, which remain unused due to incompatibilities with the present train system, including being too heavy for the rails.
“Cancelling the contract and returning the coaches is not enough. What we have here is a supplier who knowingly supplied equipment that is not suitable for the MRT. We can’t just let them get away with it with no penalties whatsoever," Pimentel said.
The Senate chief, who had also demanded a full refund from Sanofi Pasteur over the R3-billion Dengvaxia fiasco, said all future suppliers of Philippine government projects should "be aware of the consequences of giving defective products for their contracts."
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), under then Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, in 2016 purchased 48 LRVs from Dalian supposedly to aid in the operations of the troubled MRT-3, which was plagued by frequent breakdowns, long queues and overcrowding.
The coaches that were procured for R3.8 billion, however, were found to be incompatible with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system.
These also exceeded the weight prescribed for the rail system.
Pimentel's appeal came after last Wednesday's public hearing in the House of Representatives, where MRT-3 General Manager Rodolfo Garcia and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez figured in a verbal altercation.
Garcia told congressmen that they are mulling to use the Dalian coaches to increase the number of MRT-3 trains currently operating.
The DOTr last month tapped independent consultants to assess the 48 Dalian trains.
If the 48 LRVs are cleared to run, the MRT-3’s three-car trains may be increased to four-car trains, it said.