LEGISLATORS led by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito and various groups will ask the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the fare increases of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT).
In a media advisory issued on Monday, Ejercito said he will be joined by Representatives Gustavo Tambunting (Paranaque), Leah Paquiz (Ang Nars Partylist), and Lito Atienza, Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Vellarde of Buhay Partylist in filing the petition for TRO at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Other petitioners include former Cavite representative Crispin Remulla, Allan Tanjusay of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Allan Montano of Federation of Free Workers, Leody de Guzman of Buklurang Manggagawang Pilipino, Rene Magtubo of Partido Manggagawa; and Annie Geron of PS Link.
At 1:30 p.m. of same day, the Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed fare hike of the Philippine National Railways and the plan to modernize and rehabilitate its trains and facilities.
Due to continuing glitches of rail transits, the Department of Transportation and Communications increased the fare rates of MRT-3 and LRT Lines 1 and 2 to improve its service, beginning January 4.
Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, said any further delay in the promised upgrade and rehabilitation of MRT-3 is "unacceptable."
"Our commuters have long been aggrieved and any further delay in the accomplishment of vowed upkeep and upgrade is certainly unacceptable. We must hold accountable all those negligent on carrying out their duties," said Poe.
In the wake of repeated railways system malfunctions since the implementation of the fare increase, Poe asked Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to submit within five days a progress report on committed deliverables to improve the train system.
Poe also asked Abaya to find ways to expedite the completion of deliverables as allowed by law and as demanded by the urgency of undertaking such repairs to protect the commuting public.
Earlier, Poe asked Abaya and train officials to report the completion of its rehabilitation projects, which includes the maintenance of facilities, particularly the elevators and escalators, and restrooms, as well as the installation of elevated water tanks in the next two months.
During the February 2 Senate hearing on MRT-3 malfunction, Abaya presented the following rehabilitation deliverables with their target completion dates: consulting services (April 2015), rail replacement and signaling system upgrade (September 2015), radio communications upgrade (November 2015), supply of traction motors (October 2015), conveyance facilities (January 2016), ancillary system (April 2016), supply of OCS road-rail vehicle and grinding machine rail vehicle (May 2016), total replacement of signaling system (October 2016), and general train overhaul (January 2017).
Abaya also committed the completion of the full rehabilitation of the restrooms in all stations by early this year.
Likewise, Transportation and Communications for Operations director Renato San Juan promised to complete the installation of elevated water tanks to enable water to reach the 13 stations by May 2015, with a P5 million budget.
"We definitely want to know the exact level of progress and current accomplishments on every identified rehabilitation project. Let's show concern to those passengers who have been long suffering," Poe said.
Poe also reminded Abaya to submit a report on deductions it has made as "penalties for non-performance" by maintenance provider APT Global, which currently receives P57 million per month.
"If commuters are paying higher fares, it is only reasonable for them to expect improved service. An efficient and reliable mass transportation system helps improve workforce productivity and our economy," Poe said.
On February 27, the MRT suffered a minor glitch when a southbound train stopped abruptly before it reaches the next station.
Last weekend, the Department of Transportation and Communications shortened trips of trains to give way to rail replacement works. (Sunnex)
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