DOTr sorry for incident at MRT over passenger's PWD card

MANILA, Philippines — The Department on Transportation on Monday apologized for an incident where a passenger with disability was reportedly accused of using a fake ID for the priority lane at the Metro Rail Transit 3.

In a Facebook post Saturday, a certain Shirley Iyulores said her son with a learning disability was denied entry and accused of using a fake PWD ID by security personnel at the MRT-3 North Avenue Station.

Iyulores said her son went through an embarrassing situation and has since “behaved differently” after the incident.

“To accuse my son of faking and ID and the staff’s failure to recognize his special MRT Beep card is preposterous and downright insensitive,” she said.

She added: “How did you train your security personnel in dealing with PWDs? It seems to be limited in physical disabilities only. Aren’t they aware of cases like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism and the like?”

DOT: We do not condone disrespect of passengers

In response, the DOTr issued an apology to the PWD passenger and his family.

“While the investigation is still ongoing, please be assured that the DOTr MRT-3 does not condone any act that may offend or disrespect any person or passenger,” it said.

The agency claimed that the security personnel assigned at the ticket booth section asked the PWD passenger to present an original copy of his PWD ID after he earlier presented a photocopy of the identification card.

It added that a security guard supposedly reminded him to bring the original ID card the next time he boards the train. But the passenger took the photocopied ID back and left the station, DOTr said.

“While we do not intend to embarrass the bearers of valid PWD IDs, we note that cases of fake IDs being presented by some passengers in MRT-3 are not uncommon, which is why our security personnel are keen on scrutinizing the authenticity of an ID presented by a passenger as issued by local government units, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and other authorized agencies,” DOTr said.

It vowed that it will remind security personnel in train stations to treat commuters with dignity. — Gaea Katreena Cabico