Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has dismissed Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) General Manager Oscar Bongon over delays in resolving operational issues, particularly a faulty escalator that remained unfixed for several days.

Dizon clarified in a Radyo Pilipinas interview that Bongon’s removal was not linked to his personal inspection of the MRT-3 on Monday but was due to inefficiencies in addressing commuter concerns. He questioned why an escalator that broke down at 10 a.m. on Saturday was only repaired by Tuesday, despite the capability to fix it sooner.

“If it could be done the same day, why was it delayed until Tuesday?” Dizon asked, stressing that even minor issues must be resolved immediately as they significantly affect passengers.

The transport chief also issued a warning to Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials, urging them to act swiftly in resolving problems under their jurisdiction.

“We need to change our mindset. Every small delay causes great inconvenience to commuters,” Dizon said, echoing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for efficient and proactive public service.

Bongon’s replacement will be announced once the Office of the President finalizes the appointment.

MRT-3 Evening Operations to be Extended

Meanwhile, Dizon revealed plans to extend MRT-3’s evening operating hours by at least one hour and deploy additional trains during peak hours, possibly starting early next week.

The move comes after his recent inspection, where commuters requested longer service hours to ease congestion.

“By early next week, we should be able to extend operations by an hour and add at least one more train,” he said.