Repair of toilets, MRT facilities begin 2015 – DOTC

MANILA, Philippines – Commuters of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) can expect to see clean, functioning restrooms soon as the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) begins rehabilitation work on the facilities of the beleaguered transit line this year.

At the hearing of the Senate public services sub-committee on transport on Monday, February 2, DOTC secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the repair of restrooms is among the list of rehabilitation projects the agency has mapped out for one of Metro Manila’s main mass transport systems.

The timeline for upgrading the facilities of the MRT3 – which includes the replacement of the trains’ signaling system, radio communications upgrade, and rail replacement, among others – spans 2015 to June 2017.

In a survey conducted by the office of Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate sub-committee heading the probe, commuters have listed non-functioning toilets, unclean restrooms, and lack of cubicles in their long list of complaints about the MRT3.

When asked why the DOTC has not yet acted on commuters’ complaints about the restrooms, Abaya pointed out that it was the responsibility of the maintenance provider, which the DOTC has been trying to replace. 

“Unfortunately, we had two failed biddings… Not everything in the procurement process is in our control. These are comfort rooms designed way back 1999,” Abaya said.

But Poe said the upgrading of such basic facilities and services for the riding public should not take too much time.

“Nakakaapekto na ito sa dignidad ng tao. Siguro hindi naman ikakahirap ng departamento ninyo, hindi naman siguro kayo ikukulong kung lumihis kayo sa procurement process dahil ikabubuti ito ng commuters,” Poe said.

(This affects human dignity. Your department would not have much difficulty [addressing this], perhaps you won’t be penalized if you stray from the procurement process because this will benefit commuters.)

Abaya gave assurances that his agency will oversee the immediate repair of the restrooms.

Meanwhile, MRT Director for Operations Renato San Jose said P5 million has been allotted for the installation of elevated water tanks in all stations of the MRT.

San Jose said the agency hopes to complete the installation of the tanks within 3 months. The delivery of other materials, such as tiles and granite, are already ongoing, he added.

By the end of 2015 or early 2016, it is expected that all stations of the MRT3 will have clean, functional restrooms, San Jose said.

“For the stained tiles, project ng DOTC na palitan lahat ng CR at sa ngayon ang supplier ng lahat ng materials – tiles, granite, fitting – ay nagsimula nang mag-deliver. We hope to complete in the next few days. Dumating na ang contractor for civil works, mag-coordinate kami para sa kaagarang pag-replace, pag-aayos,” he said.

(It’s the DOTC’s project to replace stained tiles in all restrooms and now, the supplier of all the materials – tiles, granite, fitting – has started deliveries. We hope to complete this in the next few days. We are coordinating with the contractor for civil works for the immediate repair work.)

While repair work is ongoing, portable toilets will be set up to augment the lack of cubicles.

The DOTC also presented before the Senate its timeline of rehabilitation projects: 

• Rail replacement: September 2015
• Signaling system upgrade: September 2015
• Supply of traction motors: October 2015
• Radio communications upgrade: November 2015
• Consulting services: April 2015
• Ancillary system: April 2015
• Supply of OCS Road-Rail Vehicle: May 2016
• Supply of Grinding Machine Rail Vehicle: May 2016
• Total Replacement of Signaling System: October 2016
• Conveyance Facilities: January 2016
• General train overhaul: June 2017

The Senate hearing came nearly a month after the DOTC approved the increase in fares for the 3 major train lines in Metro Manila.

The agency has defended the move, saying it is needed to fund the much-needed upgrade and rehabilitation of the ailing mass transport system.

Senators have been conducting hearings to probe the safety of the train line and issues regarding its maintenance after a series of mishaps and commuter complaints, including the derailing of a train in August last year, which injured several passengers. – Rappler.com