Pimentel demands P3.8B refund from MRT3 supplier

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III yesterday demanded that China's Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stocks Co., the supplier of 48 light rail vehicles (LRVs) to the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, a refund of the full P3.8 billion that the government spent for the contract.

Pimentel also requested that the manufacturer be blacklisted from all future contracts with the government.

"Cancelling the contract and returning the coaches is not enough. What we have here is a supplier who knowingly supplied equipment that is not suitable for the MRT. We can't just let them get away with it with no penalties whatsoever," Pimentel said in a statement.

Last year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the unusable LRVs purchased during the Aquino administration may still be returned to China at no cost to government.

DOTr Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez said at least four internationally-known third-party auditors certified that the 48 LRVs are not compatible with the country's MRT system. The LRVs were "three tons heavier than what is required in the contract," and only 29 have been installed with signalling systems out of the 48 LRVs, he said.

The MRT3 for the past months has been suffering a series of technical glitches, resulting in the unloading of hundreds to thousands of passengers. — GMA News