Nancy Binay seeks MRT crash probe

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Nancy Binay has filed Senate Resolution no. 840, urging the proper committee to conduct an inquiry intending to improve passenger safety in mass transport operations.

“The increasing number of incidents of train malfunction arising from inadequate maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 is alarming...(this) endangers the lives of the commuting public,” she said.

Binay is also seeking a review of MRT operations after noting that the trains carry 150,000 more passengers that what they are designed for.

“It is important to look into this, given that the system carries more passengers than it was designed for,” Binay added.

The senator took note of the statement of Transportation Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya that the MRT carries 500,000 passengers per day when it was only designed to carry 350,000 passengers.

Scores of passengers were injured when an MRT train slammed into a barrier at the Taft Avenue station the other day.

Binay expressed concern over reports that the MRT trains and railways are vulnerable to breakdown. She noted reports of inadequate preventive maintenance, absence of regular inspection, lack of spare parts replacement and unpreparedness in times of accidents and risks.

The senator maintained that the Senate should look into the matter “to prevent future accidents and mishaps that may claim the lives of thousands of Filipino commuters and motorists.”

Binay said she wanted to be briefed on the protocols during emergency situations.

Binay cited the column of Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc, who had written that the “MRT-3 is a disaster waiting to happen”.

In a column piece a few months ago, Bondoc already discussed to his readers that “no real upkeep is being made of four components: power supply, trains, tracks, and signal system.”

Bondoc also detailed a few incidents resulting from the poor maintenance being done on the trains.

Apart from Binay, Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino and Koko Pimentel have also filed separate resolutions to conduct probe on the recent MRT mishap.