MRT mishap won’t justify fare hike – Palace

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang denied allegations that the recent mishap in the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) would be used to justify a fare hike.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. made the statement at a press briefing on Thursday, reacting to allegations by two Bayan Muna lawmakers that the recent MRT setback would be used to “condition” the public’s mind for a fare increase.

“We have to consider the whole situation. If you remember, the greatest challenge last month was the hike in electricity prices,” he said in Filipino, referring to the Manila Electric Company’s highest power hike that was stalled by the high court.

Coloma added that the government does not want burdens like a fare hike to pile up on each other, especially in light of recent calamities like “Yolanda,” the world’s strongest typhoon to hit land.

“We do not want burdens to pile up on each other just like it did it in terms of calamities that hit the country. That’s why we’re calibrating the response to the situation and balance it out so it would not be a burden,” he said.

On Wednesday, at least eight passengers were hurt when the MRT suddenly stopped in Guadalupe station. The management said it was the driver’s error for suddenly stopping the train after he failed to observe the red light status in the station.

The MRT is equipped with an automatic train protection system, which kicked in and locked the brakes of the train. That action caused the injuries sustained by passengers onboard.

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