LRTA apologizes for defective elevators, escalators; complaints filed vs officials allegedly involved in anomalous purchase

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on Saturday has issued an apology and an assurance that the management working on the issues related to defective elevators and escalators of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2.

In a statement, the LRTA said that it has already filed, on December 7, 2021 — upon the instruction of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade — complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against LRTA officials and private contractors involved in allegedly anomalous purchase of P170.3 million worth of equipment.

The purchase, the agency said, include the P138-million contract for the supply delivery, installation and commissioning of the conveyance system awarded to Ma-An Construction Inc. and IFE Elevators, Inc. joint venture.

The LRTA said that Tugade also instructed the immediate repair of all defective escalators and elevators and the blacklisting of erring suppliers.

“On January 4, 2022, the day of his assumption into office, the new LRTA Administrator Jeremy Regino, and upon the instructions of Sec. Art Tugade, conducted an ocular inspection of the LRT Line 2 System, particularly the non-operational escalators and elevators,” the LRTA said.

“He then called for a meeting with the Engineering and Legal Departments, and the existing LRT Line 2 maintenance provider, to get the defective station conveyance system operational at the soonest possible time,” the agency added.

Among the options seen are the emergency procurement of needed parts and the tasking of the existing LRT2 maintenance provider to undertake the repairs.

The Line 2 system has thirteen stations from Recto, Manila to Masinag, Antipolo at a length of 17.69 kilometers.

LRTA assured the public that its present management will do its best to remedy the situation and restore the non-operational station escalators and elevators for the convenience of LRT2 commuters, especially amid the pandemic.

The agency also stressed the importance of continuing anti-corruption efforts and good governance practices to protect the riding public from substandard equipment, and to maintain the safety and reliability of LRT lines.

The joint venture company involved in the issue has declined to comment. — BAP/BM, GMA News