But it added that it still has to study what it calls an emergency procurement before it enters into a three-year agreement with any company.
“Mahalaga [to] get this through muna, [kasi] mahirap na you start talking to people. Mahalaga makuha approval. Marami naman capable na lumahok,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said.
Once it’s a go, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) may then proceed to negotiate with companies to maintain the troubled train system.
But if denied, then the DOTC will open the bidding for MRT-3’s maintenance in September.
Procurement by open bidding takes nine months, while an emergency procurement takes only six weeks.
According to the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), emergency procurements are allowed where immediate action is necessary to restore vital public services, infrastructure facilities and other public utilities, among others.
Reaction to VP Binay’s TSONA
Glitches in the MRT-3 are happening more frequently compared to previous years, despite the recent change in maintenance contractors.
On Thursday morning (August 6), two glitches occurred, an airconditioning problem and a circuit problem, which forced passengers to get off the train.
For MRT-3 passenger Erwin Membrano, it seems that there are no changes with the MRT-3.
“Parang walang pagbabago kasi [ang dami ng] pasahero. Masikip parin sa loob,” he said.
Another MRT-3 passenger Dennise Limjoco said that the queuing time to get on a train still takes too long.
Even Vice President Jejomar Binay called it “rolling coffins.” But the MRT management disagrees.
“I can invite him to ride [the] train with me… holding hands ko pa,” MRT-3 General Manager Roman Buenafe said.
Abaya also took a swipe at Binay for accusations made during the latter’s State of the Nation Address on why the MRT-3’s services remain dismal.
Related: VP Binay’s SONA ‘blind to reality’ — DOTC chief
The Transportation secretary said the root cause of the problem is that the contract favors the private owner. Abaya said that the Metro Rail Transit Corporation failed to procure a maintenance provider and eventually passed the burden to the DOTC.
Abaya also assured the public that the groups invited to bid for the maintenance contract all had sufficient track records.
“Kami’y magpapaliwanag ulit ngayon, upang hindi mahawa ang publiko sa bulag-bulagang ginagawa ng ilang taong may madidilim na hangarin,” Abaya said.
