The MRT Blues

The Metro Rail Transit or MRT 3 has provided several commuters, out there, a quick route from getting to work in and getting home without the hassle of enduring traffic congestions. However as years passes by, the once quick alternative to commute everyday has become one of the dreaded, slowest, and longest means to get to point A to point B. A lot of commuters now points fingers to the heads of the MRT, while the heads of the MRT point to our government, while the government points back. Who is to blame? Who must be liable? Will this ever change?

               Senator Grace Poe, as  her capacity as the Chairperson for the Senate subcommittee on public service, recommended that the blame and charges must be against the Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and other transportation officials for their “negligence and inactions” that resulted in the problems Metro Rail Transit problems. The subcommittee filed reports which states that there are strong indications of violations of the republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-graft and Corruption Practices  Act was made by the MRT officials. Grace Poe added the it does not take an expert to analyze the failures of management, just ask the passengers who line up for hours and experience the stalling trains, the out-of-order elevators and escalators, the broken aircon units, among others.

               After the MRT signed a multi-million maintenance contract with joint venture of Busan Transportation Corporation, Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile, Inc., TMICorp Inc., and Castan Corporation.  Nothing much happened other than new coaches and trains will be operational, but that was no gurantee if it will fix everything. Speaking of the contract, Abaya now points the blame to Mar Roxas, wherein Abaya defended himself by stating that he was not aware of the shady contract when he was put into the position and that the contract was made during Mar Roxas regime.

               Who may ever is to be blamed, this officials should stop pointing fingers and start doing something about it. It is there obligation to provide the public a safe environment and to protect the welfare of the people, as embodied within the 1987 constitution. It is stated in Republic Act 6713 or the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Under Section 2, which provides that  It is the policy of the State to promote a high standard of ethics in public service. Public officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over personal interest. It is clear enough within our own laws, that these public officers should uphold what their position stand for.

               Each public officer should be liable, stop pointing fingers and do something about what is happening to our country. There position means something, and it should stand for something, and by blaming one another is not the way. The solution could be in the form of removing somebody from their current position or any other means to solve the country’s problems.  

               They were put there for a reason, they were put there to serve the public, they were there to stand for something. Not just a pretty face or the face of something unlawful or deceitful. If they want to be the face of something, they must be the face of the solution and not the problem.