No mass transport crisis in Metro – Panelo
Metro Manila has not yet reached a supposed "mass transport crisis" since commuters could still reach their destination, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo however called on the railway management to take steps to improve its transport service to the public, saying such inefficient operations should not last "forever."
Panelo made the remarks after militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) claimed that a mass transport crisis has gripped Metro Manila following glitches in three mass transport systems.
"Ano ba ang ibig sabihin nila ng transportation crisis? Ang nakikita ko lang 'yung traffic. May transportation naman. Nakakasakay naman tayo lahat (What do they mean by transportation crisis? All I see is traffic. There is transportation. All of us can get rides)," Panelo said during a Palace press briefing.
"Mukha naman wala pa. Wala. Kasi nga nakakarating pa naman ang dapat makarating sa kanilang pupuntahan (It looks like there is none yet. None because people can still arrive at their destination)," he said.
He even advised commuters to leave earlier so they could reach their destinations early. “May solusyon naman doon [There's a solution there]. If you want to go, arrive early to your destination then you go there earlier,” he said.
Panelo pointed out that there has been actually a "huge improvement" in the mass transport system, citing that malfunction occurs only once a week instead of everyday.
Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes earlier said there were not enough trains to ferry commuters to work and school following the technical issues that hounded LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3.
The technical glitches have disrupted railway operations, causing inconvenience to commuters who had to take alternative transportation.
On the latest LRT-2 breakdown, Panelo said there must be an improvement of the railway service.
He said the railway management must ensure the regular maintenance of the trains and order quality parts for smooth operations. He said "something must be wrong" if the trains keep on bogging down.