The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will terminate its agreement with Unified Grand Central Station consortium BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC) due to excessive delays in the completion of the project, which will link major rail lines LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7.
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon lamented the delay during his recent inspection of the Unified Grand Central Station or Common Station, saying that the unacceptable delay has left the construction progress idle for over a year now.
Dizon said the DOTr’s legal team is now in the process of finalizing the termination of the contract.
“The delay is unacceptable. This project should by now have been completed at napapakinabangan na ng mga tao,” he added.
To expedite the construction, the DOTr is seeking options under the Government Procurement Act or the Public-Private Partnership Code.
On the part of the BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC), Dizon explained that the consortium may be slapped with penalties and liquidated damages for failing to honor the agreement.
Asked about the government’s liability to the contractor regarding late payments, Dizon said that he will check all the details, including the government’s failure to pay the contractor on time.
He stressed the significance of the project to commuters as it will facilitate seamless transfers among major rail lines MRT-3 and LRT-1, and eventually the MRT-7 and Metro Manila Subway.
Situated in North Edsa, Quezon City, the Common Station features a 13,700-square meter concourse, ensuring rail passengers of seamless transfers.
The Common Station will also have an intermodal integrated system below, allowing commuters to depart by buses, jeepneys, or taxi conveniently.
