PLDT: Smart lights failure due to MRT, floods

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company said that external factors affecting its phone lines caused the problems of the P1.5 billion Smart traffic lights project of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Ramon Isberto, spokesperson of PLDT, admitted that some of the glitches in the traffic lights system involved the communication links provided by their phone lines. However, he explained that it was not the system itself that was the source of the problem but other factors such as the construction of the Metro Rail Transit and the recent floods.

PLDT was reacting to the allegation of Smart traffic lights contractor Plessey Asia Pacific Pty. Ltd. that faulty PLDT lines caused the breakdowns in the system.

Plessey project manager Steve Shaw, in a letter to Department of Public Works and Highways director Godofredo Galano, noted that the communication links provided by PLDT for the Smart traffic lights system broke down last April 21 causing the malfunction.

He also pointed out that these communication errors caused the signal controllers to switch from the masterlink to flexilink which caused the short cycle length of the green lights.

Based on their records, Isberto assumed that the problems encountered last April 21 was probably due to the flooding of their underground phone cables.

On the other hand, he cited the diggings involved in the MRT construction which also affected their lines. "We are not into the practice of finger pointing here. What we are saying is that when you have major construction activities such as the MRT, there are bound to be problems that will arise (with the phone lines)," Isberto said.

Officials of PLDT along with the DPWH met with their MMDA counterparts the other day to discuss the problems of the Smart lights. "We are attending to the issues involved and we are finding ways to minimize the adverse effects of the MRT construction on our line facilities," Isberto noted.

Shaw has also aired the same opinion, saying that PLDT has been closely working with his firm to provide an "error-free" system.

Some 248 out of the total 419 traffic lights have already been installed all over Metro Manila. Binay gave assurance that the 135 remaining lights will be installed by the end of this year.