Hundreds of commuters line up at the MRT 3 North Avenue station in Quezon City. 鈥擣ile photo by Ni帽o Jesus Orbeta | Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) General Manager Oscar Bongon has been relieved of his post, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon said聽in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas on Tuesday.
When asked if the removal has something to do with his inspection at some MRT 3 stations on Monday, he answered in the negative.
鈥淚 think that we should have changes in our agencies, especially in agencies that directly affect the flow of our our fellow citizens every day,鈥� he said in Filipino.
Dizon also recalled an incident when an escalator at MRT 3 Taft Station malfunctioned last March 8, resulting in injuries of 10 passengers.
The elevator was repaired last Tuesday.
READ: 90% of Edsa busway station timers now operational 鈥� Dizon
鈥淪o what we really need here are people who act really fast,鈥� Dizon said. 鈥淔or example, this escalator that malfunctioned last week. It took a very long time before it got fixed.鈥�
鈥淚 don鈥檛 like the attitude of not responding to it swiftly, and it is being delayed, and these things are not looked upon as urgent by people under our authority,鈥� he added.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon聽 (File photo from NOY MORCOSO / 黑料社)
Dizon said that immediate response to concerns should be the 鈥渁ttitude鈥� of everyone involved with the DOTr.
He also instructed the MRT 3 on Tuesday to extend its night service operations by at least one hour.
However, no other details on this directive was available as of this writing.
Meanwhile, when asked about the replacement of Bongon, Dizon told reporters to wait for the official announcement from the Office of the President.
READ: Shortlist for new general manager of MRT-3 submitted to Palace
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed on Tuesday that a shortlist of candidates for the new MRT 3 general manager has been submitted to the Palace.