“The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is an old saw that conveys the idea that the most noticeable (or loudest) problems are the ones most likely to get attention. That’s what happened when we wrote an editorial in February about the day-to-day ordeals that thousands of commuters using LRT 2 have to suffer because of its oven-hot trains (See, Who wants to ride on oven-hot trains? in the BusinessMirror, February 14, 2019).
Here’s part of our editorial: “Serving close to 200,000 passengers daily, the LRT 2 is the least busy among Metro Manila’s three rapid transit lines. But unlike the LRT 1 and MRT 3 whose coaches have well-functioning air-conditioning systems, most LRT 2 coaches are oven-hot. No wonder, for the good part of 2018, LRT 2 passengers have been constantly complaining.”
It took about a month for the LRT 2 management to fix the problem. Now, all LRT 2 coaches have well-functioning air-conditioning systems. We commend the LRT 2 management for a job well done. At the same time, we also want to thank the management of MRT 3 and their unsung security guards for their alertness, which might have prevented a fatal incident.
We recall an incident in February at the MRT 3 Cubao station where authorities nabbed a passenger who was found in possession of a live hand grenade. The MRT 3 management said security personnel found the grenade inside the baggage of a passenger at the inspection area. The confiscated grenade could potentially kill and maim hundreds of passengers.
While we’re at it, we must also give credit to the responsive leadership of the Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. The good secretary is working hard to make life a little easier for commuters in the metropolis amid the daily traffic gridlock. Recently, the DOTr started offering free train rides to students. The LRT-2 offers free rides to students up to college level, as well as those taking up technical-vocational courses from 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday except holidays. Students may also avail themselves of free rides on the MRT-3 from 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., as well as the Philippine National Railways from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tugade said the schedules for the free rides are aimed to encourage students to go to school early and help ease traffic congestion during rush hours.
Here’s more good news: Starting August, students are exempted from paying terminal fees in all airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. In a memorandum signed by CAAP Director-General Jim Sydiongco on July 26, he directed all airport managers to exempt students (from nursery to college, including those enrolled in Trade, Arts and technical vocational schools) from paying terminal fee. Students must fill up the application form for Student Exemption Certificate. A photocopy of a student ID or current school registration card will also be required.
An author once said a responsive leader is driven to understand people, recognizes the ever-changing nature of business and can quickly react to new challenges and circumstances. These are the traits displayed by Secretary Tugade and the officials of LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3 in facing the challenges of their respective jobs. To them we say: Thank you for your hard work.