MRT-3, LRT-2 lift ban on liquids on stations and trains

MANILA, Philippines — The management of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) line has lifted the ban on liquids and other related materials on its trains and stations.

“Ang mga liquid item (tulad ng tubig, pabango, hand sanitizer, lotion, rubbing alcohol, atbp.) na mahigit 100ML ang volume capacity ay pinapayagan na sa aming mga istasyon at tren,” the management said in an advisory on Wednesday.

However, the management clarified that liquids will be tested and verified first before it would be allowed inside the station.

The MRT-3 management said commuters should drink their bottled water, spray their perfumes, and spread their lotions or rubbing alcohol in front of station security personnel to confirm its safety.

“Muli po naming ipinapaalala na maaari niyo pong kunin ang inyong mga nakumpiskang liquid item mula nang ipinatupad ang pagbabawal ng anumang likido, sa aming Station Control Room sa istasyon kung saan ito nakumpiska,” the management said in an advisory.

“Ipakita lamang ang inyong ID (identification card) sa aming Station Supervisor upang makuha ang mga  nasabing item,” it added.

The MRT-3 earlier banned the water bottles and other liquid materials in its station for security purposes following the terror attacks in Mindanao.

READ: Bottled water banned at LRT, MRT stations for security

Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit 2 line (LRT-2) line has also temporarily lifted its ban on bottled water and other liquids on its trains and stations, the line’s management said on Wednesday.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said that it has temporarily lifted its ban on liquids as it awaits for the official implementing rules and regulations from the Office for Transportation Security.

Despite the temporary lifting of the ban on liquids however, strict security measures will still be implemented in all stations, the LRT line management said.

The LRT-2 has 11 stations: Recto, Legarda, Pureza, V. Mapa, J. Ruiz, Gilmore, Betty Go Belmonte, Araneta-Cubao, Anonas, Katipunan, and Santolan.

The LRTA added that LRT-2 commuters do not have to drink their bottled water or have test their lotions or cosmetics tested by security personnel before entering the station.

However, commuters will still undergo security inspection with bags having to go through X-ray machines or be inspected by bomb-sniffing dogs on entry to the station.  /muf