DOTr scraps deal with Common Station contractor

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Friday, May 16 it has terminated its deal with the private contractor of the Common Station in Quezon City, which would link the MRT-3, MRT-7, and LRT-1, due to excessive delays.

In a statement, the agency said a notice of termination was issued to BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Company (BFC-FDSC) consortium, following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to speed up the construction of the Common Station.

The government awarded the contract to the private contractor in 2019 for the construction of the 13,000 square meter facility, with operations initially eyed at the end of 2020.

In a statement in March, the DOTr said the construction has been idle for over a year.

“We can finally move on with the construction. And next step ay mabapilis natin ang construction nito para mapakinabangan na ng mga komyuter dahil malaking bagay sa kanila ito,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said.

[Translation: We can finally move on with the construction. The next step is to speed up construction for the benefit of commuters since this will be a big help for them.]

Dizon said the DOTr will explore options under the Government Procurement Act and the Public Private Partnership code to move the project.