Camille Naredo

Public officials along with the public join the inaugural ride of the new LRT - 1 4th Generation Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) at the LRT Baclaran Depot in Pasay City on July 19, 2023.

Public officials along with the public join the inaugural ride of the new LRT - 1 4th Generation Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) at the LRT Baclaran Depot in Pasay City on July 19, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday inspected LRT-1 Baclaran Station and called out its poor condition, citing lack of accessibility for PWDs and senior citizens, dirty surroundings, closed walkways, and restrooms without water supply for four years.He also questioned the unfinished passageway project that began in March 2025.According to the DOTr, it is the responsibility of the private operator of the LRT, the Light Rail Manila Corporation or LRMC, to maintain the order and cleanliness of the facilities in the stations.However, Lopez also admitted that the agency has its own shortcomings when it comes to stricter monitoring and enforcement of service standards.&quot;If we only had monitored it earlier and inspected it earlier di sana umabot ng apat na taon at di sana umabot nang ganon kasama ang sitwasyon ng ating mga istasyon (it would not have taken four years, and the station would not be in such poor condition) ,&quot; Lopez said.Lopez also ordered the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) to thoroughly review the possible violations of LRMC under the concession agreement.He said private concessionaires have key performance indicators and standards to meet.&quot;Kung di mo to nasusunod, may karampatang pagmumulta &#x27;yan galing sa gobyerno in the form of either unliquidated damages or kapag hindi talaga nag ayos at nagcomply, it may lead to termination of contract,&quot; he added.(If they do not comply, there are penalties from government and if they do not fix xit, it could lead to termination of the contract)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/11/dotr-to-address-long-lines-lack-of-beep-cards-in-lrt-1-1409">DOTr to address long lines, lack of beep cards in LRT-1</a></div><div> </div><div>LMRC GIVEN UNTIL END OF THE YEAR TO IMPROVE</div>Privatization is seen as a way for government to ensure services like transportation, water and power without spending.Opponents of privatization, however, warn that it could lead to poor service or higher fees since concessionaires will seek to maximize profit on their investment. Lopez gave the LRMC until the end of the year to complete improvements.They are also considering the installation of an elevator for senior citizens, PWDs, and passengers with medical conditions.In a statement, LRMC acknowledged Lopez’s observations on Baclaran Station.LRMC said comprehensive upgrades are already underway as part of its long-term plan to modernize the entire LRT-1 system.<div> </div><div>&#x27;DON&#x27;T USE LRT STAFF AS PUNCHING BAGS&#x27;</div>Meanwhile, Kamanggagawa Party-List Rep. Elijah San Fernando said Lopez should not have reprimanded a Baclaran Station employee for shortcomings they had no control over.“Kung may kulang sa pasilidad at serbisyo, responsibilidad ng mga awtoridad gaya ng DOTr at ng pamunuan ng LRT na tugunan ang mga pagkukulang na ‘to dahil sila ang may hawak ng pondo at polisiya,” he said.(If facilities and services are lacking, that is the responsibility of authorities like DOTr and the LRT management because they control funding and policy)&quot;Public shaming is not leadership,&quot; he also said as he stressed that LRT workers do their jobs despite the state of the facilities.“These workers are our partners in public service. Hindi sila props para sa media, at lalong hindi sila punching bag para sa papogian (They are not props for the cameras and are not punching bags to make you look good),” he said.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday inspected LRT-1 Baclaran Station and called out its poor condition, citing lack of accessibility for PWDs and senior citizens, dirty surroundings, closed walkways, and restrooms without water supply for four years.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday inspected LRT-1 Baclaran Station and called out its poor condition, citing lack of accessibility for PWDs and senior citizens, dirty surroundings, closed walkways, and restrooms without water supply for four years.

DOTr flags poor conditions at Baclaran LRT-1 Station

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DOTr flags poor conditions at Baclaran LRT-1 Station

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 05, 2025 05:51 PM PHT

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Updated November 05, 2025 09:13 PM PHT

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LRT

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