(Eagle News)–The Palace on Tuesday, Oct. 8, denied Metro Manila was experiencing a “mass transit crisis,” saying commuters could still get to their destinations.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr.’s comment following the breakdowns of the Light Rail Transit 1 and 2, and the Metro Rail Transit 3 last week.
Panelo added commuters could also adjust to the situation and leave early to get to their destinations earlier.
Panelo acknowledged, however, that there should be improvements in the operations of the LRT in particular.
“You’re not maintaining it properly. So, I think the management of LRT should know how to respond to this,” Panelo said.
In arguing there was a mass transport crisis, Reyes, in a statement on Monday, Oct. 7, noted there were “not enough trains to ferry commuters to work and school.”
“Of the limited trains that we do have, ALL THREE suffered glitches last week. The LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3 all experienced technical issues that disrupted operations. I cannot remember a time when all three had glitches in the same week,” he said.
He also called for a legislative inquiry.
“Tanong ng commuters, may plano ba talaga para sa pagpapaunlad ng mass transport system sa bansa, sa balangkas ng serbisyo hindi negosyo? O depende pa rin ito sa pabago-bago ng administrasyon at kagustuhang mag-negosyo ng ilan?” Reyes asked.
