Poe hits technical glitches in MRT-3 amid rehab plan

Sen. Grace Poe. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe on Saturday slammed the recent technical glitches in the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) as the train’s rehabilitation is set to begin this month.

“A breakdown is not the best way to start the ball rolling, especially after the DOTr promised that the rail system would continue operating while works are being done to restore it to top shape,” Poe said in a statement.

On Friday, a southbound MRT-3 unloaded 700 passengers after an electrical failure happened in one of train’s motors.

READ: MRT-3 unloads 700 passengers at Boni station

“With the technical experts and personnel focused and hands-on during the rehabilitation period, we expect that technical glitches would be immediately spotted and attended to avert future breakdowns and offloading of passengers,” Poe added.

The senator then pushed for the systematic rehabilitation of MRT-3 saying this must be done swiftly for the sake of commuters.

“The major rehabilitation would entail billions in people’s money. Let’s not make them wait for three years before they can feel the improvement,” she said.

The multi-billion peso rehabilitation work will start between the last week of January and first week of February, which will last up to 43 months. /jpv

READ: 3-year MRT 3 rehab to start this month