OSCAR Bongon has been removed as general manager of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) due to his slow response to a recent escalator malfunction at the Taft Avenue station, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced Wednesday.
The incident, which injured at least 10 passengers on March 11th, involved a broken escalator chain causing a fall and injuries. While the accident occurred Saturday morning, Secretary Dizon only learned of it through a viral video on Monday evening.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the MRT-3 management’s slow response, noting that the escalator remained unrepaired when he contacted them early Tuesday morning. The repair, he stated, was completed within 10 hours of his order.
Bongon issued an apology to the affected passengers and assured that their medical expenses would be covered.
While Dizon declined to name Bongon’s replacement, citing ongoing paperwork, he confirmed the successor will have prior experience with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In other MRT-3 news, Dizon announced that extended evening operations and additional trains during peak hours are expected to begin next week, with an official announcement on the exact date to be released on Monday.
