In transportation news, it looks like the Court of Appeals is keeping its hands clean in the case of Mandaluyong versus Metro Rail Transit Corp.
The local government is suing the MRTC for not paying PHP2.4-billion in real estate tax for three stations in the city — Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard and Boni Avenue.
CA ruled on Monday, however, that this issue is not theirs to decide on, and passed the ball to the Court of Tax Appeals.
“In a five-page resolution,” reports Edu Punay on Philstar.com, “the former sixth division of the CA denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and MRTC seeking to stop the city government from taking over and auctioning off the properties.”
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation has sealed financing for the PHP63-billion MRT-7 commuter project, reports Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“We have already submitted required documents to the Department of Transportation and Communications last week, certifying commitment from us and our banks to provide financing facilities for the project,” SMC president and ULC chair Ramon Ang was cited in the report.
SMC is part of the Universal LRT Corp BVI Ltd, the concessionaire of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 project.
“The construction timeline calls for the commencement of the MRT-7 construction and construction-related activities on February 18, 2016 and completion on August 17, 2019,” according to the report.
The 22.8km-long MRT-7 will connect Quezon City to San Jose, Bulacan. “Based on initial plans, MRT 7 was estimated to operate as many as 108 rail cars in a three-car train configuration. Capacity was projected at 448,000 passengers a day, but will eventually be expanded to accommodate as many as 850,000 passengers daily,” according to PDI.
