Palace backs up MRT's decision to cease
operation on Saturday
The Palace on Sunday supported the decision of
the Department of Transportation and Communication to suspend the operations of
the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) last Saturday.
In a press briefing over radio station dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the safety
of the commuters comes first.
“Malinaw din po ang patakaran ng DOTC
(Department of Transportation and Communications) na kapag sa kanila pong
judgment ay hindi po dapat patakbuhin ay ipapatigil po nila ang operasyon dahil
marami nga po talagang sumasakay at we cannot endanger the lives of those who
ride the MRT,” said Valte.
“Malinaw naman po na if, at any time—in the
judgment of the operator and in the judgment of the administrator—na hindi po
safe or kailangan po munang itigil, ‘yon po, safety will always be paramount,”
Valte added.
On Saturday, the MRT suspended its operation
after train’s communication system malfunction. What happened was the train
operators can contact the control center, however, the control center can not
give instruction to the train operators.
The MRT runs from Taft Avenue in Pasay City to
North Avenue in Quezon City.
Valte noted all the necessary precautions and
repair to the communication system must fist be settled before the MRT goes
operational again.
“So, in their judgment, they deemed na kailangan
maayos po muna ‘yon bago po simulan ulit ang operasyon,” she said. PND (ag)
President Aquino to lead commemoration of
National Heroes Day
President Benigno Aquino III will lead the
commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig
City on Monday.
He will be accompanied by Defense Secretary
Voltaire Gazmin, National Historical Commission Chair Dr. Maria Serena Diokno,
Taguig Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano, Taguig 2nd district Representative Lino
Cayetano and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang.
The theme of this year is: “Bayaning Pilipino:
Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.”
In his message for the event, the President said
we owe our freedom to our forefathers.
“We are, and will forever be, indebted to their
sacrifice. We sustain their legacy as we persist in weaving their dream of a
free, inclusive, and empowered Philippines into a tangible reality,” he said.
The President also acknowledged the Filipino
people’s struggle for reform.
“Four years ago, the Filipino people dared to go
against the tide of indifference and braved the waters towards good governance
and social justice. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds we forged on, never
letting those who continue to sow greed, doubt, and negativism undermine our
love of country and people,” said the President.
“Through the most daunting circumstances—in the
face of the strongest storm to hit our lands, in our continuing fight against
poverty and corruption, or in our steadfast campaign for peace and equitable
progress—we shall prove, time and again that indeed, the Filipino is worth
fighting for,” he added. PND (ag)
