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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has emphasized that the MRT-3 trains are safe for public use. The statement was issued in response to the claims of Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Eli San Fernando, together with three employees from MRT-3.
Rep. San Fernando claims in his vlog that the rail transit is unsafe for the commuters.
“Nakatanggap tayo ng nakakabahalang impormasyon na yung MRT ay nagpapatakbo ng mga tren kahit alam naman nila na hindi ‘to safe,” he said
[“We have received alarming information that the MRT is operating trains even if they already know that it’s unsafe.”]
The congressman also confirms with the MRT staff if the four-car train is unsafe because it is not aligned with the proper system, and they agreed.
In a Facebook post, the DOTr strongly disapproves of the claims made by the congressman and the personnel featured in his vlog.
“Ang lahat ng train sets ng MRT-3 ay dumadaan sa masusing technical evaluation, at hinding-hindi papayag ang DOTr at ang maintenance provider na Sumitomo Corporation na makompromiso ang kaligtasan ng mga araw-araw na sumasakay sa tren,” the DOTr said
[“All MRT-3 train sets undergo rigorous technical evaluation, and the DOTr and the maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corporation, will never allow the safety of the commuters to be compromised.”]
In the vlog posted by Rep. San Fernando, a staff member noted that the signaling system for the 4-car train has not yet been built.
However, the DOTr clarified that the signaling system is capable of supporting the 4-car train.
“Ang signaling system ng MRT-3 ay may kakayahang suportahan ang apat na bagon na tumatakbo mula North Avenue hanggang Taft Avenue,” they said
[“The signaling system of MRT-3 can support the 4-car train that runs from the North Avenue to Taft Avenue.”]
Regarding the operation of Dalian trains, DOTC-MRT3A Membership Committee Chairperson Engr. Luis Saman Jr. mentioned that those are not fit for revenue operations.
“Kasi sa Dalian naman talaga, hindi pa pwedeng gamitin for revenue operation yon kasi nga unang-una wala pang complete na training para dyan,” he said
[“The Dalian trains are not yet ready to use for revenue operation because primarily there is no complete training for that.”]
However, the DOTr denied this, stating that Dalian trains undergo the necessary inspections and technical processes before operations.
“Ang mga tren na ito ay dumadaan sa kinakailangang pagsusuri at teknikal na proseso bago payagang gamitin ang operasyon. Patuloy ding nagsasagawa ng mga coordination meeting para matiyak ang kanilang operational readiness at pagsunod sa mga pamantayan sa kaligtasan," according to the DOTr
[“These trains undergo necessary inspections and technical processes before operations. The coordination meetings are continuous to ensure the operational readiness and compliance with community safety standards.”]
Rep. San Fernando also mentioned that he had already submitted a letter to the DOTr to raise the safety concerns last February, but he has not received any response from the agency.
However, according to DOTr, the MRT-3 has responded to Rep. San Fernando, explaining the technical and safety evaluation, proving that the four-car trains are safe for the commuters.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has announced plans to implement the fare increase for public utility vehicles (PUVs).
The decision is related to the rising prices of fuel products and the petitions of the transport group to prevent financial losses for drivers.
This challenge is directly linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The exact amount for the fare hike is not yet clear, but the agency has assured that it will implement the plan once the necessary process is completed.
A transport group, Pasang Masda is delighted with this decision, as they previously requested it to the authorities.
“Well, kung magtaas-pamasahe ay malaking tulong po ‘yan,” ayon kay Pasang Masda President Obet Martin.
[“Well, if the fare hike is implemented, that would be a big help.”]
MANIBELA Chairman Mar Valbuena stated that the ₱2 provisional fare increase is good enough to recover the financial loss for the drivers who are directly affected by the rising prices of fuel products.
“Pwede namang i-suspend din ng LTFRB kung sakali na bumaba na. ‘Yong dalawang piso po makatuwiran na po ito,” he said
[“The LTFRB can suspend just in case the [oil prices] will eventually drop. A two-peso increase is reasonable.”]
With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.
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Fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk are ready to be distributed this March, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
A subsidy of ₱3,000 will be distributed to 15,800 fisherfolk, while ₱5,000 will be allocated to 9,700 farmers.
The agency had earlier released the requirements for the farmers and fisherfolk to receive the fuel subsidy.
Farmers must be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and should be an owner or renter of agricultural machinery.
For fisherfolk, they must be registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) or Fish-R (Fisheries Registration System) and must have a boat with less than 3 gross tonnage.
The DA will also request an additional 25 million pesos fuel subsidy fund from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) before the current budget runs out.
“Hindi na hihintaying maubos yung 50 kasi nag-utos na yung ating Pangulo na talagang ipamahagi na agad yung mga assistance sa ating mga magsasaka’t mangingisda,” DA Asec. Arnel De Mesa said
[“We will not wait for the 50 million to be depleted because the President has ordered the immediate distribution of assistance to our farmers and fisherfolk.”]
The 10 billion presidential assistance is currently under the agency’s study and evaluation if the Middle East conflict persists.
With reports from Mia Alonzo
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The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) is warning the public against vacation scams as the vacation season approaches.
According to the PNP ACG Spokesperson, PLt. Wallen Mae Arancillo, the public must remain cautious and avoid sharing personal and financial information with anyone to protect themselves from scammers.
“Kung (may) makikita po tayong napakamura or too good to be true offers and kung hinihingan na po tayo ng pera, downpayment or full payment, magduda na po tayo. Lalong lalo na huwag po tayong magbigay ng mga financial accounts po natin or mga personal information po natin,” she said
[“If we notice very affordable and too good to be true offers and they are asking for money, down payment, or full payment, we should be suspicious. Most importantly, let’s refrain from disclosing our financial accounts and personal information.”]
PLt. Arancillo added that scammers may create fake advertisements. They steal photos and videos from the legitimate resorts or condominiums and will utilize those materials for advertising. This is their strategy to attract potential customers.
“Kadalasan po may ginagamit po (silang) mga companies or mismong legit na akomodisyon - resorts man ito or condominium and ang mga ginagawa po nila itong mga photos and videos po, pinopost nila sa isang account and yung mga accounts na ito ay nilalagyan po nila ng mga comments din, mga reviews,” she added
[“Oftentimes, they use actual companies or legitimate accommodations, either resorts or condominium and what they do to the photos and videos, they post them to one account, and in that account, they put comments on it, and reviews.”]
Additionally, scammers typically ask for a down payment through online money transfer. Once the payment has settled, they will block the victim.
The PNP ACG has also received complaints where the scammers offer fake accommodations to the victims.
“Pagdating nila don sa mismong accomodation ay wala palang resort or ganitong klaseng hotel sa ganong lugar,” PLt. Arancillo said
[“Upon arrival at the accommodation, they discover that there is no such resort or hotel exists in that place.”]
The PNP has recorded 29 cases related to vacation scams from January to February 2026. This is slightly higher than the previous record of 28 cases in 2025 in the same month.
With reports from Lea Ylagan
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Due to high demand for fuel products, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued guidelines regarding the purchase of fuel using drums or containers.
The agency clarified that the purchase of fuel products using drums and containers is allowed for the legitimate operations of fishing vessels, sea transport, generator sets, and agricultural machinery.
The purchase of one drum or 100 liters of diesel or a recent purchase that matches normal operations is also allowed. However, the purchase request exceeding the standard consumption pattern shall undergo a verification process.
The use of jerry cans is also permitted, as long as it is safe and appropriate based on DC2017-11-0011.
In a Facebook post from DOE Secretary Sharon Garin, the following consumers who commonly consume fuels using this kind of container are the following:
To ensure orderliness, the agency advised the public to report their concerns formally using the eGovPH App.
The agency emphasized that utilizing digital platforms is essential nowadays to protect the public and ensure quick and documented action from the authorities.
