Senators seek probe after MRT crash

MANILA, Philippines - Three senators have filed resolutions asking for an inquiry into the accident involving the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3), that left more than 30 people injured last Wednesday.

Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino and Koko Pimentel filed resolutions seeking for the probe in a bid to re-assess the safety of the current public and mass transport system in the country.

Angara said the incident was  “actually an accident-in-waiting” since the MRT 3 currently operates double its original capacity at 500,000 passengers a day when it was originally designed for only 350,000.

“We must look into this MRT 3 incident, as well as the country’s rail system and transport network policy, with the view of instituting policy reforms to address the country’s infrastructure needs in the next 50 years," Angara said.

Angara pointed out that warnings from experts on the safety and maintenance of the MRT, particularly on "metal fatigue" were made earlier this year.

Angara filed Senate Resolution No. 839, where the senator identified recent malfunctions or incidents involving the MRT 3 since 2012, including a short-circuit that caused fire in one MRT coach at Kamuning Station in November 2012; a shutdown of MRT operations in October 2013; and when the MRT abruptly stopped at the Ayala station causing at least 10 commuters hurt.

"The litany of incidents highlights the need to look into the operation-worthiness of the MRT to ensure the safety and welfare of riding public that bear daily long cues just to ply through the metro,” he said.

"Such re-examination should include all existing and planned inter-city mass transit systems in Metro Manila and the country in the context of establishing a comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, environment-friendly, sustainable and long-term transport network," Angara said.

Angara added that government institutional set up may also be re-examined to address the weak coordination, regulation and oversight for public transportation and mass transit policies and plans.

Angara also stressed the urgent need to institute policy reforms to address the needs of the country's public and mass transport system in order to sustain the Philippines' exemplary economic performance as manifested in unprecedented GDP growth.

"An efficient mass transit system, particularly in a highly-urbanized megapolis such as the Metro Manila, is a key component and a lever for a sustained economic growth in any growing nation,” he said.

Aquino and Pimentel are seeking for a deeper probe into the accident involving a wayward MRT train.

“I am calling for an investigation on the accident to gather all the important stakeholders involved to talk about the issues that are surrounding the MRT system,” Aquino said.

“This is the best avenue to collaboratively find the best solutions in the short-term and in the long-term,” he added.

“Let us not wait for a major accident to happen before we address the long overdue problems – a more rigid inspection system, the rehabilitation, maintenance and replacement of parts of the trains and railway, and the like,” Aquino said.

Pimentel blamed the poor maintenance of MRT 3, one of the three elevated railways that has been at the center of complaints from commuters because of congestion.

The senator also aired concerns about its integrity to safeguard the well-being of the riding public.

Pimentel also asked why the MRT administrator is also the general manager of the poorly maintained government-run, mass transit system which is serving over half a million passengers every day, well above its intended capacity of 350,000 per day.

Because of the failure of the MRT management to update its maintenance service, Pimentel said the MRT 3 management was forced to go on a month-to-month procurement of capital spares and consumables that led to the “cannibalization” of some parts of “downtrains”.

Meanwhile, Sen.  Grace Poe bats for safety of commuters throughout the country.

Poe filed Senate bill 2266 that calls for the creation of a National Transportation Safety Board that will investigate and report on air, road, and sea accidents as well as those involving pipeline, railroad and tracked vehicles.