A passenger turns to a hand fan to cool herself when the air conditioning system inside the MRT cabin failed. (UNTV News)
MANILA, Philippines — Because of the hot weather, MRT passengers’ health is at risk especially during peak hours wherein there is a large volume of passengers.
This is the reason why MRT management is considering limiting the number of passengers per trip of MRT trains.
This is in connection with what happened on Tuesday wherein there were only 5 trains working because the air-conditioning units of the other trains did not function well.
The maintenance provider said that they have gone out of Freon (cooling agent) that is used for the air-conditioning unit
MRT General Manager Roman Buenafe said,”Ngayon pa lamang humihingi na ko ng paumanhin we may have to turn back passengers if ever it happens we get into a situation again na ganun kababa.”
( I apologize to all. We may have to turn back passengers if ever it happens we get into a same situation again.)
Aside from this, the management will open windows so that air can circulate freely inside the cabin.
GM Buenafe added, “I will be looking the possibility of opening the windows of the MRT if the aircon is really not sufficient to cool down the internal cabin of the trains. At least by opening the windows will have air circulation.”
These are just among the steps that the management will implement to avoid the health risk in passengers especially during rush hour.
MRT passenger Juvelyn Aquino complained, “Oo, sobrang init, tapos talagang grabe wala ng sinisino kahit babae pa yan matanda basta makarating sa pupuntahan napakainit.”
( Yes, it’s too hot. And it’s too much, there are no more considerations whether it’s women or the elderly as long as they get to their destination.)
While passenger Drey Castro commented,”Itong part ng train mainit ang aircon pero nung pumasok ako sa kabilang train malamig naman yung right side.”
(This part of the train is hot, but when I entered the other cabin, the right side was cool.)
But this is only a Band-Aid solution. Global APT, however, said the government is not paying them.
The transportation department admits that they are not paying Global APT for January and February because the penalties that the maintenance provider have incurred amount to more than the 57 million that MRT is supposed to owe them.
DOTC said they have already made a complete payment for last September to November.
The maintenance provider, however, did not buy enough spare parts which resulted in the many glitches being experienced by MRT.
MRT General Manager said in defense,”Hindi sila lugi… maganda kita doon. Kaya nga if only they bought spares, capital parts consumables during their first three months (in the first three months they actually earned) they wouldn’t have this problem right now.”
(They’re not suffering losses. It’s a profitable business. That’s why if only they bought spares, capital parts and consumables during their first three months (in the first three months they actually earned) they wouldn’t have this problem right now)
The transportation department said that there is no other solution but to let the government procure the whole MRT to attain full control of the system.
It is expected that in June, there will be a new maintenance provider that will replace Global APT. (MON JOCSON / UNTV News)