President Aquino will not take up the “MRT Rush Hour Challenge” but remains committed to improving railway safety and convenience.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said this yesterday, saying the country’s bachelor leader is too busy running the affairs of the country.

Aquino will instead stick to his bullet-proof vehicle when going around town despite calls for government officials to take public transportation.

“In my view, I don’t think he needs to ride the train just to experience or understand,” Coloma said in a Palace press briefing.

“Let us understand that the President is the father of the nation. He is attending to many problems all day and night,” the Palace official added.

Coloma made the remarks after a number of government officials responded to the public challenge to ride the problematic train to endure the plight of weary Metro Manila commuters.

Last Monday morning, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda and Deputy Spokeswoman Abigail Valte rode the rush hour MRT train from North Avenue Station in Quezon City to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. The two spokespersons took the Light Rail Transit line 1 (LRT-1) to Manila afterwards.

Earlier, Senator Grace Poe earned cheers for riding the train without security or media fanfare. But Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was criticized by some groups for riding the MRT during non-peak hours and with security staff and television cameras.

Asked if he will take the MRT challenge, Coloma said he is ready to take the train to experience the daily ordeal of train riders, citing previous railway experience as undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Coloma, however, declined to accept the other challenge, the ALS ice bucket craze in the country, saying he will donate to the cause instead.

The transportation department has drawn flak for the frequent breakdowns of the railway system in Metro Manila that undermined the safety and convenience of travelers. Several lawmakers have pressed the government to take immediate solutions to ease the suffering of commuters.

Coloma, meantime, assured that the government is taking steps to improve the safety and convenience of Metro Manila train riders amid the “systemic” concerns plaguing the railway system.

He also affirmed that Abaya continues to enjoy the President’s trust and confidence, citing the transport chief’s plans to study the options on ways to improve the MRT operations and maintenance.

“We are taking into consideration the safety and convenience of nearly half a million Filipinos using the facility every day. We know the problems are serious. The main consideration is their safety,” Coloma said.

Coloma also welcomed the Senate inquiry into the MRT troubles, saying lawmakers can help craft laws that will address problems plaguing the railway system in the capital.