
By Janine Dumaguin
The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) management on Tuesday, March 21, responded to the complaint of a passenger after her laptop got damaged while lining up at one of the station’s x-ray scanners.
In its statement, MRT-3 apologized to Allana Columbres for the “unfortunate incident” and for the lack of compassion of the staff who were on duty during the incident.
“It is MRT-3’s policy for the employees to extend utmost courtesy and tolerance to all passengers at all times. Hence, the MRT-3 assures the public that necessary steps will be taken to bring about improvements in MRT-3 employees’ handling of passenger complaints,” MRT-3 said.
However, the management pointed out its policy for electronic gadgets which are shown on tarpaulin signages beside the x-ray scanner.
The signage also reminds passengers that MRT-3 will “not be liable” for any lost or damaged baggage while the x-ray scanner is in use or while the passenger is on its premises.
Columbres recalled that her bag was repositioned vertically instead of horizontally when another traveler proceeded to put his own bag on the conveyor belt.
The train management responded that there was enough space between their belongings, and that her bag was already upright when she put it on the conveyor belt based on security camera footage.
“MRT-3’s x-ray machine operator immediately stopped the x-ray scanner when the jam registered on the monitor, to prevent further pile-up. It was then that Ms. Columbres was able to retrieve her bag,” it stated.
It also noted that Columbres placed her backpack on the x-ray scanner’s conveyor belt without informing the staff on duty that it contained a laptop.
The MRT-3 management appealed to the public to always be mindful of their belongings while inside all its premises to prevent any loss or damage. -ag