San juan city: Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has called for stricter enforcement of safety protocols following a technical glitch at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Tuesday. In a recent meeting at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) office, Lopez emphasized the importance of adhering to safety procedures and best practices during incidents to ensure commuter safety.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lopez’s directive aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to enhance passenger safety across all transport hubs. He highlighted the necessity for train marshals, Philippine Coast Guard personnel, and other security teams to assist passengers during emergencies.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including MRT-3 General Manager Mike Capati, Sumitomo Corporation representative Hidenori Sunohara, CRRC Dalian Senior Regional Manager Damien Chang, and technical and engineering teams from MRT-3 and Sumitomo.

The technical issue on Tuesday at 6:28 a.m. caused an MRT-3 train to halt between Santolan and Ortigas Stations. Commuters were seen walking along the tracks, and some passengers inside the train reported breathing difficulties. MRT-3 officials advised passengers against exiting the train independently due to safety risks.

Normal operations resumed at 8:05 a.m., and MRT-3 offered free rides for the rest of the day as a goodwill gesture following the incident.