Department of Transportation (DOTR) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the management of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to immediately implement enhanced safety protocols and best practices across the rail line. The directive follows a technical glitch involving an MRT-3 train between the Santolan and Ortigas Avenue stations on Tuesday.
This move aligns with the directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which prioritizes the safety and security of passengers across all national transport hubs.
Secretary Lopez emphasized that the revised procedures must reflect international best practices, specifically citing the stringent protocols of Japanese rail lines during technical malfunctions. The goal is to ensure the utmost safety and timely assistance for passengers at all times.
“The President wants all our transport hubs to be safe for passengers. We want the proper and rapid implementation of safety protocols on all rail lines so that we can be proactive and ensure our readiness in the event of any untoward incidents,” said Secretary Lopez.
In addition to protocol enhancement, the Secretary directed the increased deployment of personnel dedicated to passenger assistance and security. This includes assigning dedicated train marshals, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, and security teams to ensure orderly and safe responses during any operational disruption.
Secretary Lopez convened a meeting on Thursday to deliver the directive and discuss implementation plans. Attendees included MRT-3 General Manager Mike Capati, Sumitomo Corp. representative Hidenori Sunohara, CRRC Dalian Senior Regional Manager Damien Chang, and key members of the technical and engineering teams from both MRT-3 and Sumitomo Corp.
The DOTR remains committed to modernizing the country’s public transportation infrastructure and guaranteeing safe, reliable, and convenient commutes for all Filipinos.
