Abaya: #MRTChallenge won’t solve the problem
'By riding the train, do I solve the problem? What’s more important is for us to find a solution' to the train system's problems, says the transport chief
MANILA, Philippines – No, the country's transportation chief won't take up the challenge that netizens have presented him – to ride the frequently stalled and inconvenient Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) during rush hour.
Chided by the public on his attempt last week to check on the train along EDSA on a non-peak hour and with his staff and journalists, Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said on Monday, September 1, his priority is to deliver.
“By riding the train or [kahit] mag ice challenge ako sa MRT3 during rush hour.... Do I solve the problem by doing that? I can make a clown out of myself… pero feeling ko maiinis lang sila,” said Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya told reporters on the sidelines of the Senate hearing on the MRT operations.
(Even if I do the ALS ice challenge on the MRT3.... Do I solve the problem by doing that? I can make a clown out of my self...but I get the feeling it will only annoy the public.)
“Fair game naman tayo, sport naman tayo, naglilingkod naman tayo sa bayan,” he added. (I’m fair game and I’m also a sport. I’m just serving the public.)
In contrast, Senator Grace Poe, who chaired the Senate hearing on a recent MRT3 incident, rode the train line without media fanfare and with minimal staff accompanying her.
Poe said she wanted to “experience what a passenger experiences riding the MRT.”
Abaya clarified he wasn't after the media attention. “I wanted a low key way of doing it. That’s my personality. Pero matitinik 'yung mga kaibigan 'nyo (But your friends in the media are good)…. They knew where and when I was leaving,” he said.
Abaya said he didn't mind being compared to Poe. “Kayo naman sa media nagko-compare (It’s you guys in the media that are making comparisons). I don’t mind at all.”
Asked if he was willing to take on the #MRTChallenge, Abaya said: “What’s more important for the public is for us to find a solution.”
‘Learning experience’
The MRT3 has been in hot water since mid-August after one of its trains derailed and bulldozed through one station’s safety barriers. The same incident sparked the Monday Senate hearing.
Abaya told reporters he was there not to experience what commuters experience, but to check the line’s safety. “Siguro makikita ng taong bayan: siguro si Secretary Abaya nakakasakay, maayos siguro 'yung tren. Kasi di naman niya i-gagamble 'yung buhay niya kasi bata pa ang mga anak niya,” he said.
(Maybe commuters will think: I guess the MRT3 is safe because Secretary Abaya rode it. He wouldn’t risk his life because his children are still young.)
Addressing criticism on why he boarded the first train car, which is usually reserved for women, the elderly and PWDs, Abaya explained it was the only way he could see for himself how the line operated.
He also spoke to the train driver during stops. He said they assured him the line was safe.
The transportation chief emphasized that even if he didn’t ride the line during rush hour, he was well-aware of the difficulties of commuters.
“My learning experience on the MRT3 is not just based on that single ride. I text [MRT3 officer-in-charge] administrator [Honorito] Chaneco every day…. This is a continuing learning, educational…governance education for me,” said Abaya. – Rappler.com
Sumakay ka o hindi, wala ka naman solusyon talaga ano, Sec. (p)Abaya?
Mr. Secretary, the reason why MRT3 travelers challenge you to ride the MRT during rush hour is simple. You need to experience the realities of everyday commuting.
How can you provide solutions if you cannot identify the problem? Let me correct myself. If not for the accident at EDSA-Taft Avenue, No action will be taken by this government to protect commuters.
Nagawa na ang tuwid na daan. Ngunit sa pabaya ang kalye ay sira-sira na rin pagkatapos ng ilang taon.
"By riding the train or [kahit] mag ice challenge ako sa MRT3 during rush hour.... Do I solve the problem by doing that?"
But I bet he'd find a solution faster if he had to ride the MRT every single freakin' day that he is secretary of DOTC. Abaya... you're an @$$#013 of the 1st degree.
Since chief ka ng public transportation, why not be a commuter yourself? You envision an economy na people would prefer public transpo over private vehicle. Why not use what we have right now? Puro dada. Ayawan na to.
Maybe what you need Sr. is a little bit of empathy towards the passengers so that you can solve the existing problem. Maybe that's what the passengers want from you.
You've said that the train ride was pleasant, maybe that's a little bit offensive to the passengers.
*twocents*
such a jerky statement. learning experience ba being in government service?... was it we need experts in government and not students? what solution does a student can do?
The #MRTChallenge alone won't indeed solve the problem but it will give you an idea how to come up with a concrete solution. Duh!
It would not directly solve the problem, but it will help you identify the problem!
Sec. Abaya's best solution is to resign and let another able person solve these transportation problems...someone who will take on the challenge willingly without the fear of looking like a clown...because right now everyone thinks he's already a clown by ducking a simple challenge. He cannot convince the commuters that he thoroughly understand their situation unless he shows them that, at least he isn't afraid of what commuters face daily...he's more worried about his self image than the conditions he has placed on commuters on their daily commute basis.
Wala ka na ngang solusyon, ayaw mo pa makiramdam sa akin. Anong klaseng animal ka, Abaya? P*****a ka!
How do you find a solution when you dont know the problem? Part of the reason for this challenge is for you to experience it for yourself, since you're so high up the ladder you've forgotten about everyone else, pero yung tagabitbit mo ng payong dala mo kahit saan. Nkakaloka ka.
Check
Fair enough Mr. Secretary, so what are your initial plans to address the rush hour queuing and alleviate the plight of the commuters?
no you don't...but at the very least - you'd appreciate the practical experience & when you do, you can propose albeit small but meaningful solutions!! at least until the time when contractual flexibilities would allow it!! Yours is a head that's outgrown its use, move over & leave solution-making to those who are really interested to help.
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