Palace welcomes national safety board proposal amid MRT accident

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Following an accident that left more than 30 passengers of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) injured, Malacañang on Thursday said it is open to proposals that will help improve the country’s transportation sector, including the establishment of a national safety board.

“Kung ang tinutukoy ay ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan at ‘yung kapakanan ng gumagamit ng ating mass transportation at iba pang mga paraan ng sasakyang pampubliko ay tiyak na susuportahan ‘yan ng ating pamahalaan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a televised press briefing.

He was asked if Palace was open to Senator Grace Poe’s Senate Bill 2266 seeking to create a National Transportation Safety Board. The board will serve as the main investigating body on air, road and sea accidents.

On Wednesday afternoon, a technical problem caused an MRT coach to overshoot the Edsa-Taft station railings and concrete barrier.

Coloma said Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was still gathering reports on how the accident happened and how it could be prevented from happening again in the future.

“Batid natin na importante din dito ‘yung pagtitiyak na magkaroon ng proper maintenance at ‘yung pagsunod ng mga kawani ng MRT sa proper safety procedures,” he said.

(We know that it is important to ensure proper maintenance of the MRT and its personnel’s adherence to proper safety procedures.)

Coloma assured the public that the accident is being given top priority by President Benigno Aquino III.