A party-list lawmaker on Friday expressed appreciation over the move of the Manila Light Rail Transit System and Metro Rail Transit System to provide free rides to all senior citizens from Oct. 1 to 7 in observance of the Elderly Filipino Week.
Senior Citizen party-list Rep. Francisco Datol said the decision of MRT 3 General Manager Rodolfo Garcia, LRTA administrator Reynaldo Berroya, OIC Deputy Administrator Felix Gerard Leyson, and LRT Line 2 manager Antonio Laigo is also timely in the wake of rising inflation.
“We thank these officials for supporting Elderly Filipino Week by providing free rides for seniors,” Datol, vice chairman of the House special committee on senior citizens, said.
He advised senior citizens who will avail of the free ride to bring their senior ID or any valid ID showing date of birth.
Based on the advisory of the managenent of the LRT Line 2, Datol said senior citizens can avail of the free rides from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“For the convenience of the elderly, LRT Line 2 management said seniors will have assigned selected gates,” the lawmaker said.
The MRT-3 management, meanwhile, said commuting seniors will be issued their free magnetic ticket, Datol said.
“To avoid any inconvenience and delays, I remind seniors to bring their IDs that indicate their birthdate so LRT and MRT personnel can apply their special rules for Elderly Filipino Week,” Datol said.
He added that the standard security checks will continue to be applied to everyone entering the light rail facilities.
The nation commemorates the Elderly Filipino Week by virtue Presidential Proclamation 470 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos.
The Proclamation was pursuant to the United Nations’ General Assembly Resolution 37/51 of 3 December 1982, to pursue an International Action Plan on Ageing.
