Photo credit: DOTr

Looks like the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has had enough of the long-standing delays at the Unified Grand Central Station—also known as the Common Station. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced that they’re officially cutting ties with the project’s contractor, BF Corp. and Foresight Development and Surveying Co. (BFC-FDSC), after more than a year of stalled progress.

Dizon didn’t hold back during his recent inspection of the site, calling the delay "unacceptable." He confirmed that the DOTr’s legal team is now finalizing the termination of the contract.
"Pinag-aaralan na ng ating legal team ang final termination ng kontrata para maka-move on na tayo at finally matapos na yung proyektong ito," he said. (Our legal team is finalizing the termination so we can move on and finally complete this project.)

What’s Next?

With the contractor out, the DOTr is now looking at faster ways to get the Common Station finished. They’re exploring options under the Government Procurement Act and the Public-Private Partnership Code to push things forward.

But what happens to BFC-FDSC? Well, they might be facing penalties and liquidated damages for failing to stick to their end of the deal.

When asked if the government also has some fault in the delay, particularly regarding late payments, Dizon acknowledged that both sides have responsibilities.

"Classic na pagkukulang ng gobyerno po ‘yan yung hindi pagbabayad on time. Iche-check po natin lahat yan. At the end of the day, ibabalanse po natin lahat yan," he explained. (Late government payments are a classic issue. We’ll check everything, balance the shortcomings of both the government and the contractor, and find a fair solution.)

Why This Matters to Commuters

The Common Station is meant to be a game-changer for Metro Manila’s railway system, seamlessly connecting MRT-3, LRT-1, and eventually MRT-7 and the Metro Manila Subway. With a 13,700-square-meter concourse, the hub will allow passengers to transfer between major train lines with ease. It will also feature an intermodal system below, making it convenient for commuters to hop on a bus, jeepney, or taxi.

Dizon emphasized how crucial the project is for daily commuters.
"Mas importante kailangan mabilis kasi malaking ginhawa ito sa komyuter natin," he stressed. (What’s more important is speed—this will be a huge relief for our commuters.)

With the DOTr now taking decisive action, commuters are hoping the Common Station finally sees the light of day—sooner rather than later.