DOTC Secretary: The Untouchable? #ExpertWriter

The Department of Transportation and Communication’s Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya issued Department Order No 2014-014 setting the new fares for the three mass train system in Metro Manila; MRT3, LRT-1 and LRT-2. “It’s a tough decision, but it had to be made. It’s been several years since an increase was proposed. We delayed its implementation one last time until after the Christmas season. While 2015 will see increased fares, it will also see marked improvements in our LRT and MRT services,” he said.

Moreover, the fare-hike for three mass train system, resulted different sentiments to all sectors which angered them all. These sentiments ballooned to more disappointments from train commuters who suffered most. The thing that the DOTC Secretary had done was “no show” to explain on his side.

The whining of Senator Grace Poe: Wondered why the DOTC imposed the increase after its 2015 budget, including allocations for the rehabilitation of the MRT and LRT, was approved, and without giving the public due notice. She also wondered why the DOTC did not inform lawmakers about the fare increase when it asked for subsidy in the supplemental budget. That early, we could have removed this, and put it in the programs of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and DepEd (Department of Education),’’ she said.

More organizations were very vocal against the train fare hike like BAYAN MUNA Representative Neri Colmenares, BUHAY Representative Lito Atienza, and AKO BICOL Representative Rodel Batocabe. And even Senator Escudero observed that the government did not hold public hearings before announcing the increase. There was no public hearing whatsoever, unlike in raising jeepney, bus, or taxi rates. The DOTC simply said the increase was overdue for years, without detailing why it should be 50 percent and not just, say, 5 percent, or even as high as 500 percent, as computed by railway experts.

Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya surprised all concerned leaders, media people, news companies and citizens of the Philippines, that for the past months, he was very much alive with his planned strategies on how to tackled MRT3 problems and continued to move forward with his leadership for the good of the commuters. While at the same time, never had a wink of giving MRT Holdings its proposition for business unification. Even the Senate cannot twisted his firmed ways to solve this gigantic problem of the MRT3 drama that buyout was the only option.

What more could we do with the Secretary right now when he’s very busy for Papal visit? Remember, he’s a transportation secretary, not only in mass train system under his concern but also the whole transportation industry in the Philippines.

The DOTC Secretary, together with the government of Pnoy Administration believed the political will to survive even when worst comes to worst for the Philippine governance?

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MRT3 Story Is A Corruption With-A-Twists? #ExpertWriter

As one of the leader of Pnoy Administration and a DOTC Secretary, Mr. Emilio Abaya should have the thorough knowledge of all the Transportation businesses in the Philippines. Thus, MRT3 train Operations and Management (O&M) is one of its components that should be given total focus because of its complexity in any facets of the system.

The management of MRT3 ‘s tarnished with negativity wherein the Ombudsman will investigate alleged involvement of Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya with officials accused of graft charges for alleged anomalous maintenance contract of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) with a local company.

Former MRT General Manager Al Vitangcol, who resigned last May, was also named in the charge sheet. He and five others faced separate charges of violating the Government Procurement Reform Act. Criminal and administrative charges have been filed against Abaya and 15 others. The contract with PH Trams-CB&T was allegedly awarded without public bidding.

The negative approached played by Al Vitangcol gave way to a more damaged consequences of MRT3 operations and management. The series of train system breakdowns and accidents proved that the decision made by the DOTC head was far from solving the present crisis.

Moreover, behind these problems, the relationship of MRTC and DOTC are not giving positive results to the riding public and to all Filipinos as a whole. Their movements to give total service to the public were created another series of battle between the two. Thus, the The Department of Transportation and Communications DOTC’s still aiming for a buyout to pacify the past and develop new management system. But, is it really the best solution so far?

MRTC and MRTHoldings through Bob Sobrepena, open up to the media about their side and the true status of MRT3. Thus, wanted to unify with DOTC but suggested a privatization of the operations and management of MRT3-EDSA train system.

The DOTC Secretary said about the investigation, “I have nothing to hide and no reason to fear any investigation. As always, we will cooperate fully with the investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman, just as we have with investigation undertaken by different branches and agencies of government, such as the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the National Bureau of Investigation. We remain committed to transparency and the eradication of corruption in government. Ultimately, it is the public that will benefit from the search for truth.”

He will face this investigation for sure, and Al Vitangcol should be investigated too, together with others. Records at the National Statistics Office showed that Vitangcol was related by affinity to Arturo Soriano, a representative of the PH TRAM-CB&T that negotiated the contract. Inekon Group Chief Executive Officer Josef Jusek and Czech Ambassador Joseph Rychtar accused Vitangcol of demanding a bribe in exchange for service and maintenance contract for MRT.

Only the truth will prevail and if found guilty, they should be penalized accordingly.

Another angle for this investigation is the eradication of public officials who are doing public contracts while lifting their vested interest at hand. In the past, majority of them were developing strategies to increase their wealth, adding to their powerful influences and sticking to their hollow political ideologies.

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