DOTr mulls terminating EDSA central train station deal

The Department of Transportation will look into the termination of the contract for the construction of the Unified  Grand Central Station at North EDSA in Quezon City, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday.

According to Joseph Morong's exclusive report on "24 Oras," the station meant to connect Light Rail Transit-1, Metro Rail Transit-3, and Metro Rail Transit-7 was supposed to have been completed in 2021.

Dizon inspected the project on Monday. A huge part of the facility was unattended and already gathering dust.

“Nakakalungkot at nakaka-frustrate. Nakikita mo, andito na siya, nakatengga lang, walang mangyayari,” Dizon said.

(It’s saddening and frustrating. You can see that nothing is happening with this.)

“Clearly now, I think we have to study termination already at this point,” he added.

The contract for the construction was awarded in 2019 to BF Corporation, a firm of the late former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Bayani Fernando.

However, the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic years ago halted the progress of the unifying station.

The station could be finished by 2028 if construction works resume.

GMA Integrated News is reaching out to the BF Corporation for a comment.

EDSA Busway 

Further, the DOTr reiterated that the EDSA Busway will continue to operate despite the upcoming rehabilitation of the major thoroughfare in preparation for the ASEAN Summit 2026. 

“Hindi po magsasara ang EDSA Busway kahit nire-rehab ang EDSA,” said Dizon. 

(The EDSA Busway will not be closed even during the rehabilitation of EDSA.) 

When asked about the proposal to allow the Philippine National Police to use the busway during emergencies, the DOTr chief said it is something that needs to be discussed. 

But Dizon said that he does not see any reason to add anyone to the list of individuals allowed to use the busway: “Wala dapat madagdag dun.” (Nothing should be added up to that.) 

Aside from the convoys of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker, and Chief Justice, also allowed to use the busway are on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. –Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News