Palace supports MRT’s decision to cease operations on Saturday

MRT 3, North Avenue Station (Photo: Wikipedia)

MANILA — Malacanang on Sunday supported the decision of the Department of Transportation and Communications to suspend the operations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 last Saturday.

In a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the safety of the commuters comes first.

“Malinaw din po ang patakaran ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) na kapag sa kanila pong judgment ay hindi po dapat patakbuhin ay ipatitigil po nila ang operasyon dahil marami nga po talagang sumasakay at we cannot endanger the lives of those who ride the MRT,” said Valte.

“Malinaw naman po na if, at any time — in the judgment of the operator and in the judgment of the administrator — na hindi po safe or kailangan po munang itigil, ‘yon po, safety will always be paramount,” Valte added.

On Saturday, the MRT suspended its operations after the train’s communications system malfunctioned. What happened was the train operators can contact the control center; however, the control center cannot give instruction to the train operators.

The MRT-3 runs along Epifanio Delos Santos Avene (EDSA) from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to North Avenue in Quezon City.

Valte noted all the necessary precautions and repair to the communication system must first be settled before the MRT-3 goes operational again.

“So, in their judgment, they deemed na kailangang maayos po muna ‘yon bago po simulan ulit ang operasyon,” she said.