State-run Land Bank of the Philippines drew criticism on social media after an employee shuttle reportedly declined to take in stranded commuters as heavy rains flooded roads in Cainta, Rizal, on Monday.
The incident came as Metro Manila recorded 201.7 millimeters of rain in five hours due to the southwest monsoon, or habagat, causing flooding in several areas.
A netizen told the VISOR Community that a LandBank shuttle passed along Felix Avenue with few passengers aboard. Stranded commuters asked to board, but were refused, the netizen said.
Many commuters were left walking from Cainta Junction toward Sta. Lucia through the rain and floodwaters.
The netizen acknowledged that the shuttle was for LandBank employees and that accommodating other passengers was not necessarily the bank’s responsibility. But the post questioned whether exceptions could have been made for stranded commuters, particularly with seats available.
It also asked whether LandBank rules prohibit its shuttles from carrying non-employees.
“Genuinely curious lang, especially seeing people walking through the flood and rain with no other way to get home,” the netizen said.
