The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is terminating its agreement with the Unified Grand Central Station consortium, composed of BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC), due to “unacceptable” delays in completing the Common Station project.
The critical infrastructure, which is designed to connect LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7, has been idle for over a year with little progress.
Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon said on Thursday that the DOTr is finalizing the contract termination and is exploring alternative solutions to restart construction, such as leveraging the Government Procurement Act or Public-Private Partnership Code to expedite the process.
He pointed out that the consortium, responsible for completing the project, will be held accountable for failing to meet its obligations, with penalties and liquidated damages likely to be imposed.
“Our legal team is currently reviewing the final termination of the contract so we can move on and finally complete this project. The delay is unacceptable. This project should by now have been completed and already benefiting the people,” Dizon said.
However, Dizon acknowledged potential concerns about government liabilities for late payments.
“That’s a classic government shortcoming, not paying on time. We’ll check everything. At the end of the day, we’ll balance it all out — the government’s shortcomings, the contractor’s shortcomings — delaynd we’ll come to a solution for all of it,” he said.
Located in North Edsa, Quezon City, the Common Station is essential for the future of Metro Manila’s transportation network.
Once completed, it will allow for seamless transfers between major rail lines and include an integrated intermodal transport system, offering bus, jeepney, and taxi services.