The Department of Transportation has ordered a review of all Light Rail Transit rehabilitation following the filing of corruption complaints against private contractors which were found to have purchased substandard equipment for the LRT 2.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade also called for the blacklisting of the joint venture of Ma-an Construction and IFE Elevators for the delivery of substandard escalators for the LRT-2 line, and Kempal Construction Supply Corp. for the delivery of substandard equipment such as re-railing and diagnostic tools.
“This investigation has long been delayed. Initiate it now and let us make the culprits pay,” Tugade said.
The LRTA discovered that of the 13 escalators installed at the Recto Station, only one remains operational with the rest conking out even before the expiration of the warranty period.
The required capacity under the contract is 9,000 passengers per hour but the installed escalators can accommodate only 6,000 passengers per hour.
“We cannot afford to see our passengers especially the senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women suffering because of the wrongdoing of the LRTA officials and contractor,” said LRTA officer-In-charge Paul Chua.
