Consumer group warns LRT2 could also suffer from breakdowns

A consumers group promoting human rights has warned about a “litany of breakdowns’’ or possibility of accidents that could hit the Light Rail Transit line 2 (LRT) line 2 should the alleged anomalous bid of a noncomplying firm for the maintenance service provider of the Santolan-Recto railway system pushes through.

“The possibility or likelihood of any change in the LRTA’s position is not a sign of weakness. It might in fact be seen as a positive realization that the interest of the LRT and MRT commuting public is paramount and should be protected at all cost. It’s not too late,” National Coalition of Filipino Consumers (NCFC) legal counsel and spokesperson Atty. Oliver San Antonio said.

San Antonio called on Jose Jobel V. Belarmino, chairperson of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), to be vigilant in making sure that the authority prevents any untoward incident that may put the commuters’ lives at risk.

Earlier, the NCFC filed criminal and administrative complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman against Belarmino and other members of the LRTA-BAC based on what the coalition considered as a “highly-suspicious and highlyquestionable tender offer” made by a bidder in the LRT 2 maintenance service contract.

The filing of the case was followed by revelations that the bid made by the BUSANEDC Joint Venture was copied from the technical specifications of the breakdown-ridden MRT3 and did not meet the requirements of LRT Line 2.