Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued a forceful directive to the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of the LRT-1 system, demanding the immediate and complete rehabilitation of the Baclaran Station.
The order followed an on-site inspection conducted by Secretary Lopez this Tuesday, as part of his mandated weekly assessment of the nation’s major transport hubs to ensure the safe and comfortable daily commute for passengers, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Beginning his commute at LRT-2 Antipolo Station and touring both the LRT-2 and LRT-1 lines, Secretary Lopez was deeply disappointed by the state of the Baclaran Station. The inspection revealed multiple critical issues, including severe neglect, safety hazards, and an unacceptable lack of facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and senior citizens.
During his tour, Secretary Lopez was highly critical of the station’s poor maintenance, including closed and deserted passenger passageways, steep stairs, and slippery floors. He personally witnessed a PWD commuter struggling to navigate the hazardous conditions. Furthermore, the Secretary was shocked to learn that the station’s restrooms had been non-functional and without a water supply for an unacceptable period of four years.
“Commuters deserve respect and a functional, dignified public service. It is unacceptable that vital infrastructure, regardless of age, is left in a state of disrepair when it directly affects the safety and mobility of the public, particularly our PWDs and senior citizens,” Secretary Lopez stated. “This level of complacency and failure to act on long-standing operational issues must stop immediately.”
The Secretary also expressed annoyance over the unfinished construction of a crucial station passageway that commenced in March 2025 and remains largely deserted, causing severe inconvenience to passengers.
In response, Secretary Lopez immediately ordered Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Hernando Cabrera to closely monitor and enforce the actions of the LRMC. The private operator has been given a strict deadline: the end of the year to complete all necessary repairs and ensure the Baclaran Station is fully functional, clean, and compliant with accessibility standards.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will study the feasibility of installing an elevator at the Baclaran Station to provide greater convenience and accessibility for all commuters, especially those with mobility challenges.
The DOTr remains committed to holding transportation operators accountable to deliver reliable, safe, and world-class service to the commuting public.
