DOTC defends transfer of MRT-LRT station to Trinoma

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) defended yesterday the government’s decision to relocate the proposed P1.4 billion Metro Rail Transit – Light Rail Transit (MRT-LRT) common station in Trinoma mall.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in an interview with reporters that the only body that could stop a major infrastructure project is the Supreme Court instead of a regular court where SM Prime Holdings Inc. is seeking the issuance of an injunction.

“Again it is a clear policy this is a national infrastructure project in which a TRO by the Supreme Court will be the only way to stop it. I think the government should not be deprived of seeing things in a different light,” Abaya said.

He said the agency conducted a study wherein the government stands to save between P800 million and P1 billion if the proposed common station is constructed near the Trinoma Mall instead of the SM North Edsa mall.

“We did a comparison and it took us a while before we came to a decision whether we go SM North EDSA or Trinoma. There is a clear difference of roughly P800 million to P1 billion in cost. That in itself is a factor,” he added.

Furthermore, Abaya also cited the construction of the Quezon Ave. – Commonwealth Ave. bus rapid transit, the masterplan of the Quezon City central business district, and the proposed Integrated Terminal System (ITS) – North Terminal project.

“It will be more convenient for people in and around, working, living, and entertaining themselves in that central business district that a common station be located nearer than crossing again Edsa to SM,” he said.

The SM Group has filed a case before the Pasay City regional trial court docketed under RPSY-1416681-CD against the DOTC and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) due to alleged breach of contract in the location of the common station.

Listed SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) has filed a case before the Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) against the DOTC and LRTA its legal rights and interests under its Memorandum of Agreement with LRTA signed September 28, 2009.