San Miguel open to redesigning MRT7 Quezon Memorial Station

Private concessionaire San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday said it is open to make revisions to the design of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7), given recent issues about the project's above-ground construction of the project.

In a statement, SMC said it will cooperate with stakeholders to deliver the project with minimal delays, even with a possible redesign of the above-ground structure of the station.

"For us, while the order is a setback, we will do everything we can to make sure we keep to the timetable, and at the same time take into account the Mayor's concerns. This includes revisions to the design," SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said.

Construction temporarily suspended after Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued a temporary cease and desist order on the above-ground works.

According to the local government, a review of the project revealed that it had exceeded the agreed area for construction, with the proposed floor area more than five times the indicated 4,997 square meters in the projects' permit and clearance.

SMC, through its unit Universal LRT Corp. BVI Limited (ULC), is the private concessionaire for the P69.30-billion project.

This covers the development of a 23-kilometer railway system linking North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan through 14 stations.

As a public-private partnership (PPP) project, the 25-year concession agreement also entails the development of an integrated system including a 22-kilometer highway from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Bocaue Interchange and an intermodal transport terminal next to the San Jose del Monte Station

"The resolution of issues is really up to DOTr as main proponent, and the local government unit," said Ang.

For its part, the DOTr said underground construction will continue, while it is in close coordination with the Quezon City LGU to address concerns on above-ground works.

"We will coordinate with the LGU of Quezon City as soon as possible to discuss and clarify this matter," said DOTr spokesperson Goddes Libiran.

"We are certain that at the end of the day, we will be able to strike a balance and obtain a win-win situation," she elaborated. — BM, GMA News

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