MRT-3 general manager replaced after escalator malfunction

Metro Manila, Philippines - The general manager of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) has been relieved from his post, following the escalator malfunction at one of its stations, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday, March 18.

Dizon said the lack of urgency in fixing the escalator that glitched at the Taft Avenue station last March 8 did not sit well with him.

Nearly a dozen people were injured after passengers fell from the escalator after it malfunctioned due to “issues with its main drive chain.”

The MRT-3 management announced that the facility was reopened and became fully operational on March 11–three days after the incident.

“Simpleng bagay na escalator, kung kaya naman palang gawin sa same day parang nung Sabado, nung alas diyes nang umaga nasira ito, eh bakit pa natin pinagpaliban hanggang Martes? Kung hindi pa ko tumawag, kung hindi pa ko nagsabi, dapat ‘yon nagkukusa ang ating mga kawani na sila mismo naiisip nila na hindi to pwede maghintay,” Dizon said in an interview with government radio Radyo Pilipinas.

[Translation: A simple thing like an escalator, if it could have been fixed on the same day like last Saturday, when it broke at 10am, why did we have to delay it until Tuesday? If I hadn't called, if I hadn't said anything, our staff should have taken the initiative themselves and realized that this can't wait]

He said Bongon’s removal is a message to transportation officials to act on issues swiftly.

Bongon was sworn in as MRT-3 general manager in 2024 under then-Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Since Dizon’s installment as DOTr chief in February, he has fired a number of transportation personnel from the Land Transportation Office and Office for Transportation Security after their aggressive encounter with passengers on separate occasions.

The agency said Dizon has already recommended names for Bongon’s replacement, and is now waiting for appointment papers from Malacañang.