Ted Failon is in full force today. He has Nato Reyes as a live guest, read a letter from Senator Grace Poe outlining her concerns to the DOTr, and when I tuned in, he was currently talking with Speaker Alvarez.
Tune in
DZMM now!
Update 1: The cost of the government is indeed 2.8 BILLION. Alvarez is totally against it, "win win" only for those with commercial interest. Alvarez's main concern is convenience to the riding public. Ted is saying the budget committed is Php 777 million. Alvarez said he cannot recall if the 2.8 billion is part of the 2017 budget. If DOTr will be tackling the additional cost, it will be for 2018 budget. Given the huge difference, DOTr may face an uphill battle regarding getting the 2.8 billion approved. House will set up a hearing soon since the chairman of transportation committee was not informed. It seems for the House, the DOTr was quite sneaky and did the signing without their prior knowledge. "Bububsisin talaga namin yan", as per Speaker Alvarez.
Update 2: Ted is now speaking to Cherrie Mercado. Cherrie said the document signed is now "available" and will send Ted a copy. Cherrie said the 2.8 billion is based on the "projected cost" of the Common Station. Tugade really wants the project to move forward. Cherrie confirmed that tracks of LRT1 is connected to MRT3 (duh!) but passengers can't use it. Tugade insisted that "passenger comfort" is top priority and private sector "payag naman". Ted confronts Cherrie about the TRO, "alam mo ba kung bakit". Cherrie finally admits TRO is because "nilipat", Ted grills her further, "may nag-agaw". Ted asks "bakit satisfy ang dalawang negosyo at bakit hindi ang plano ng goberyno". Cherrie seems deflecting, saying its the Supreme Court's fault, "hindi makagalaw because of TRO, there were commitments for both mall owners from two administration." Cherie said that yes, the government
can go back to the
original plan but because they are
"rushing", DOTr don't want to deal with AYALA suing!!! The time table for finalizing is 240 days after DED, they will file the removal of the TRO. Just about they were going to talk about convenience with Nato confronting Cherrie, the line is cut... :sly:
Update 2.5: Nato confronts Cherrie that no consultations with the public or commuter groups, saying the DOTr can simply go to the Supreme Court and say the previous administration made a mistake and they should go back to the original plan. She said she understands Nato's point but Tugade did not assume that there were mistakes from the PNoy administration and just move forward with what they have now. Ted keeps on grilling Cherrie on the fact that Ayala caused this issue, its a fact that the location of the Common Station was already settled in front of SM North. So if Trinoma is really the cause, why shouldn't they just shoulder the entire costs! Cherrie insists that the government still had costs. Cherrie said the 780 million cost was just for LRT1 and MRT3 as part of the LRT NEP back in 2007. In 2009, the 777 million was to add MRT7, so total cost is add both. Nato backed with NEDA government says the cost is just 500 million and the press release of 2.6 billion for is misleading. The 2.8 billion is only for Area A! Cherrie confirms Nato's figures, 1.5 billion, which is still lower. Cherie said the 2.6 billion were "new changes" for the SM Common Station during PNoy's time. Ted reads the document from the NEDA Board on 2009,
the whole SM Common Station includes MRT7, the estimated budget is 777 million, not an addition to 780 million, etc! Its not gawa gawa, its information from those who studied the project.
Now for convenience being emphasized by Nato, the original plan all trains are beside each other. In the new design, MRT7 is isolated. So where is the public convenience? Ted emphazies if he was a normal mangagawa, I want to get to the next train ASAP, not to go window shopping. Cherrie seems to be conceding and says this is really the best solution they can have (she seems upset) and concedes that the public will be consulted. So Ted grills further, why consult the public now after the signing. Cherrie says 150 meters is hindi daw ganun kalayo. In this case, Ted emphasizes the opportunity is already there to put all three lines together if the original plan is followed. Now Ted is grilling her about Tugade's promise that there will be "no cost to the government", which is not the case. So Cherrie denies Tugade ever saying it even though it was clearly in the interview. So Ted lets Cherrie listen to the interview. Now Cherrie says she wants to hear the entire interview to see the context.
Now Ted is asking about DPWH issue due to the underpass, additional costs and the DPWH said they will change the design, it will cost more. It looks like DPWH is just adjust. Nato adds up and says ion 2009, they already had proposed the station beside Trinoma but was rejected because its more expensive, the area is floody for the underpass, etc. Cherrie said "well taken yun points". Now Ted asks about the traffic plan and asks who will pay for that costs, pretty much shutting down the entire intersection. Cherrie said they will work with DPWH on the traffic plan, dapat maskaunti ang impact.
Ted relays a question to Cherrie to ask Tugade if he has ownership of the station (he pays for it with his own money), would he allow the cost to increase from 777 million to 2.8 billion just because of what Ayala wants?
Ted asks about the pending lawsuit by Bayan Muna and what is Nato's take on this. Nato says on his part, there is still a process and this will need to be approved by NEDA wherein Digong is chairman. Digong had said previously he will fight the oligarchs so Nato will try to get this to his attention as an example of oligarchs vs the people. Nato seem to want to avoid a lengthy court battle so if Digong can do something about it (which makes things faster), he would prefer to go that route.
DJ Chacha read the texts and the reactions of those that texted are overwhelmingly against DOTr. Examples are "Laking perwisyo ang 150 meters" "Ang init ng ulo nila!" "Walang kwenta pagusap kay Mercado!"
