DOTr removes viral, ‘tactless’ MRT-3 signage

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February 11, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — A signage encouraging commuters to climb the stairs instead of using the escalators on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) has been removed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Found at the MRT-3’s Shaw Boulevard station, the signage had been placed “specifically near the queue for the coach reserved for women, persons with disabilities and senior citizens,” according to a report.

Circulating on social media, the poster stated: “Each step you climb is a gift to your heart, lungs and muscles.”

“Upon learning about this, we immediately removed the signage as it does not reflect the official position of the transport agency. On the contrary, the convenience of the commuters is always our priority,” the MRT-3 management said.

Station supervisors took the initiative to put up the “unnecessary” signage, the management said.

“There is no need for such signage since all escalators are operational. It only caused unnecessary confusion,” the agency said.

“It was initiated by one of the station supervisors, not sanctioned by the MRT-3 management and was poorly communicated, which only led to misunderstanding. Again, such signage was unnecessary,” it added.

Apologizing for the signage, the management said, “There was never any intention to invalidate or diminish commuters’ experiences or concerns. We recognize the importance of listening, especially when issues about accessibility, comfort and safety of the commuters are raised.”

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and MRT-3 general manager Michael Capati have directed the management to report malfunctioning escalators and prioritize repairs.

Reckless driver

Meanwhile, bus firm Victory Liner Inc. has been issued a show-cause order after a viral video showed one of its buses “making a dangerous maneuver against a truck” along an expressway.

“I saw the video and there is clearly a violation on the part of the bus driver. We are investigating to determine if the bus was carrying passengers at the time,” Vigor Mendoza II, chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, said.

The LTFRB ordered the driver to attend a hearing on Feb. 25.