Can he solve the MRT woes?

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon has urged President Aquino to crack the whip on underperforming officials to improve the delivery of services to the people. The Senate leader cited the case of the public transport system where the riding public must endure everyday glitches in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3).

Drilon said the Aquino administration should accelerate public spending in the remainder of its term as underspending has pulled down the country’s economic gains.     

“We must be more efficient in spending. The gross domestic product (GDP) has been affected by underspending. What we should realize is government spending is crucial to achieving overall economic growth because 20% of the economy depends on government spending,” he pointed out. 

The Senate leader said the government should come up with solutions to the problems of the public transport system. 

“I would like to see in the last year of the President some firm executive action on transport services. Let’s face it, the MRT-3 is a disappointment,” he said.

“I feel the frustration of our people and so the improvement of services in this area is really critical,” Drilon said.

The Metro Manila-based mass transit line has been suffering from various problems, capped off by a train accident last August 14 that left 38 passengers injured.  On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the operations at the MRT were disrupted due to technical glitches.  

“So I would like to hear—and I’m sure the public wants to hear—what the administration is going to do, even in the remaining short term, to alleviate the situation of the commuting public,” he said.

While Drilon expressed disappointment over the state of the transport system, he does not support calls for the resignation of the officials involved: “No, we don’t have to go into that. Let’s provide more attention, closer supervision and monitoring.”

“What is necessary is strong executive action. Spend what needs to be spent, and do what must be done, for the sake of our people. After all, the MRT and other rail systems are in essence a public service” Drilon said. -End-