Pinag-usapan sa social media ang insidenteng naganap noong August 23, 2023, sa LRT-1 Monumento Station, kung saan pinindot ng isang pasahero ang emergency button dahil naipit ang daliri ng isa pang pasahero.
Ayon sa post ng isang netizen, diumano ay sininghalan pa ng security personnel at train driver ang pasaherong pumindot ng button, na hindi raw dapat basta-basta pinipindot.
Pero nangatwiran ang mga pasaherong saksi na emergency naman kasi ang sitwasyon.
Ang huling tanong ng nag-post: Kailan ba dapat pipindutin ang emergency button?
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GUIDELINES FOR PRESSING THE EMERGENCY BUTTON AT THE LRT
Nakapanayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Light Rail Manila Corp (LRMC) Corporate Communication and Customer Relations Head Jacqueline Gorospe via call ngayong hapon ng September 5.
Ipinaliwanag ni Gorospe ang mga pagkakataon kung kailan dapat pindutin ang emergency button sa LRT.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SITUATIONS
Simula ni Gorospe, “Examples of these emergency situations would include those that are medical in nature, such as, let's say somebody gives birth inside a train, a passenger collapsed, or feels dizzy, so things of medical in nature."
ALTERCATIONS, COMMOTIONS INSIDE THE TRAIN
“Number two, if let's say instances, like there are physical altercations inside a train, there is a commotion, so that's another example."
FIRE, UNUSUAL INCIDENTS
“Number three, If there is fire, there is something unusual detected inside a train."
FINGER STUCK IN TRAIN DOOR AN EMERGENCY SITUATION?
Ang tanong ngayon, maituturing bang emergency ang pagkakaipit ng daliri ng isang pasahero?
Sagot ni Gorospe, “[W]ith the recent incident, if let's say a finger or fingers would be caught between the doors, that's also considered an emergency situation.
“Something that, of course, emergency by definition, means it needs an immediate response.”
Ang naipit na daliri ng pasahero ay binigyan ng "first-aid treatment at Monumento Station for his minor right thumb injury."
Tumanggi kasi ang pasahero na dalhin siya sa LRMC clinic sa LRT-1 Central Station.
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BEING RESPONSIBLE IN PRESSING THE EMERGENCY BUTTON
Iginiit ni Gorospe ang kahalagahan ng tamang pagpindot ng emergency button, lalo pa at kapakanan ng napakaraming pasahero ang nakadepende rito.
Sabi niya, “Pressing that emergency button is also a responsibility, and it comes with it a certain level of responsibility.
“Because if that button is pressed for a reason that doesn't really merit an emergency response or is pressed by mistake, it puts the lives of people and the safety of the passengers inside at risk.
“So that's why actually we have a rule that when you press that, there is a certain penalty. That's why we're very strict.”
Ang pagpindot sa emergency button sa maling dahilan ay may penalty na PHP5,000.
Idinetalye pa ni Gorospe ang ilang senaryo na maaaring mangyari kapag pinindot ang emergency button.
Aniya, “[W]hen that button is pressed, the door activation happens and the train operator, there will be a sudden brake for the train. Of course, it's accelerating, right?
“When that [brake] is pressed, the train will suddenly decelerate or suddenly be put to a stop.
“And we know that when that happens, all the passengers, possibly those who are standing, can fall or hit the railings or the wall.
“So that's why we always remind that that button, you only press it in situations that will merit an emergency response.”
PART OF THE PROTOCOL
Idinagdag ni Gorospe ang isa pang bahagi ng protocol kapag pinindot ang emergency button: kailangang bumaba ang lahat ng pasahero sa area kung saan pinindot ang button.
“Part of our protocol din kasi. When that button is pressed, part of the protocol [is] everyone goes out or asked to alight from the train, at least doon sa area na iyon.
“Because the security will have to inspect and then the train operator also goes out to check coz it’s a standard nga.
“When something alarms, you check. You don’t disregard it. It’s also part of safety procedure to give clearance to a train to depart the station, or continue accelerating. Then kailangan cleared.
“Part of that is really interviewing who pressed this, ‘Why did you press it? Who saw it?’ Parang quick intervention [na], ‘Okay, it’s a valid reason.
“Number 2, should we make people go inside pa ba kasi safe naman o hindi na dapat?”
Bahagi raw ng kanilang protocol na alamin ang dahilan ng sinuman kung bakit pinindot ang emergency button.
Giit ni Gorospe, “But yes, we are reminding our passengers to sparingly use that button because it can be dangerous for people inside.”