MVP: Govt silent on solicited MRT-3 bidding
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is waiting for the official statement of the Department of Transportation(DOTr) regarding its new plan for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
MPIC chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said last week it received “no official communications” yet from DOTr pertaining to its intention to bid out the operation and maintenance of MRT-3.
With the change of plan, the DOTr appeared to have set aside the unsolicited proposal of MPIC to rehabilitate and operate MRT 3. Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade, however, clarified that the MPIC proposal was not rejected.
Last year, MPIC was granted the original proponent status (OPS) to lead the rehabilitation, operations and maintenance of the
troubled railways system along Edsa.
Under the P12.5-billion proposal, the group seeks to have a 30-year concession period.
Meanwhile, asked if the group would join the bidding, Pangilingan said MPIC’s participation would depend on the rules.
The DOTr has taken on the operations and maintenance of the MRT-3 temporarily after it terminated its contract with Korean firm Busan Universal Rail Inc..
The firm was blamed for the glitches encountered by the railway system.
The MRT-3 serves more than 500,000 commuters each day, higher than its original capacity of 350,000 passengers.
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