The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in coordination with several government agencies, rolled out a free ride program along select routes across Metro Manila to assist commuters amid the inclement weather on Tuesday, August 18.
The free rides will be available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the DOTr saying the service may be extended if necessary.
The program covers 14 routes, with free rides available in both directions:
- Quiapo to Fairview
- Lawton to PITX
- Divisoria to Cubao via Nagtahan
- Baclaran to Monumento via Taft
- Lawton to Muntinlupa (Starmall)
- Heritage to Market Market
- Monumento to PITX (Busway route)
- Kalentong to Pasig
- Buendia to Makati Avenue
- Quiapo to Commonwealth
- Marikina to Cubao
- Sta. Mesa to Quezon Avenue via Araneta
- Baclaran to Sucat
- Divisoria to Monumento
The DOTr said the initiative is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure that commuters have access to transportation, particularly as several areas in Metro Manila experience flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Banoy Lopez said 43 government vehicle assets will be deployed to assist stranded commuters.
“Ide-deploy ang 43 vehicle assets ng pamahalaan para alalayan ang ating mga komyuter na na-stranded. Kasama natin ang iba't ibang government agencies sa pagbibigay ng libreng sakay sa mga pasahero na apektado ng matinding pag-ulan. Prayoridad nating makapasok at makauwi sila ng ligtas,” Lopez said.
The DOTr is joined by the Office of the President, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Department of Energy, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Philippine Army in providing free rides.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had raised a Yellow Rainfall Warning over Metro Manila, indicating possible flooding in flood-prone areas.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 201.7 millimeters of rainfall in Metro Manila within five hours on Monday, August 17.
The rainfall was significantly lower than the 455 millimeters recorded in Metro Manila over a 24-hour period during Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009, which caused widespread and severe flooding across the metropolis.
