MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 12, 2026 — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued a public apology after photos and videos went viral showing Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) staff at Shaw Boulevard Station being made to hold tarpaulin signs to direct passengers to functioning escalators.

The incident, first posted online by commuter Cadmiel Pabellan, drew widespread criticism for being “degrading” and “inhumane.” Pabellan said he witnessed MRT-3 personnel holding the signs on January 28 and again on February 10 and 11.

“Not only is it inhumane, it is so degrading as an employee. But it is alarming na the two incidents involving signs for two consecutive days eh ‘hindi aware’ ang DOTr na nangyayari iyon sa Shaw Station ng MRT-3,” he told The Philippine STAR.

He added, “It took two weeks before napatigil yung paghahawak ng tarpaulin just because people voiced out of it on social media. That tells a lot about our transport sector — no inspection of the day-to-day routine.”

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the immediate relief of the Shaw Boulevard station supervisor involved in the incident. MRT-3 management clarified that the actions “were not authorized” and were stopped as soon as they were discovered. “DOTr-MRT-3 also apologizes to the personnel who were asked to carry the said tarpaulins. That is not part of their function and no personnel shall be treated that way,” the agency said in its statement.

The supervisor has been referred to the MRT-3 Disciplinary Committee for investigation and possible sanctions. This marks the second time in recent weeks that MRT-3 faced public backlash. Just days earlier, netizens criticized a sign posted at the same station’s escalator that read, “Each step you climb is a gift to your heart, lungs, and muscles,” which many commuters found insensitive.

The controversy has reignited discussions about commuter welfare and management accountability in the country’s rail system, with transport advocates calling for stricter oversight of station practices to ensure that personnel are treated with dignity and passengers receive proper service.

Image from Jared Pabellan