Free train rides, new routes bared for June 12

MANILA, Philippines — All three rail transport lines in the National Capital Region have announced free rides to commuters tomorrow in commemoration of the country’s 125th Independence Day.

In separate statements yesterday, train operators announced they would be offering free rides from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) operations will observe holiday operating hours on Monday, with first trips leaving Baclaran and Roosevelt Stations at 4:30 a.m.

Last trips are scheduled at 9:30 p.m. for Baclaran Station and 9:45 p.m. for Roosevelt Station.

LRT-2 said it would operate starting at 5 a.m. from Antipolo to Recto stations and until 9 p.m. for Antipolo station at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Recto station.

In a statement last Friday, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 officer-in-charge Jorjette Aquino said “free MRT-3 ride is a way of commemorating the 125th anniversary of the country’s independence and the sacrifices of our heroes.”

Alternate routes

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has added more alternate routes for motorists affected by the road closures as part of the Independence Day commemoration tomorrow.

Temporary road closures will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. along Roxas Boulevard from T.M. Kalaw Avenue to P. Burgos Avenue, T.M. Kalaw Avenue from Taft Avenue to Roxas Boulevard and Maria Orosa Street from T.M. Kalaw Avenue to P. Burgos Avenue.

This includes Katigbak Drive, Independence Road and South Road, which will be closed to facilitate the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument and the civic-military parade at Quirino Grandstand.

All southbound vehicles from the Jones, McArthur and Quezon bridges are advised to use Taft Avenue while westbound vehicles on United Nations Avenue should turn left to Roxas Boulevard.

Northbound vehicles on Roxas Boulevard should turn right to UN Avenue.

Northbound trailer trucks and heavy vehicles on Roxas Boulevard should turn right to President Quirino Avenue.

Vehicles coming from Mel Lopez Boulevard or Road 10 intending to pass by Roxas Boulevard should turn left to Andres Soriano Avenue inside Intramuros or continue straight to Bonifacio Drive, then turn left to P. Burgos Avenue and Finance Road to reach their destinations.

Trailer trucks and heavy vehicles coming from Delpan Bridge should make a U-turn at Anda Circle to the northbound lane of Mel Lopez Boulevard, then proceed to C-3.

Vehicles coming from General Luna Street inside Intramuros should turn left to the eastbound lane of P. Burgos Street or Finance Road.

Motorists heading to Quiapo are advised to turn right from Roxas Boulevard to UN Avenue or T.M. Kalaw Avenue, then turn left to Taft Avenue.

Vehicles going to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex area should turn right from Taft Avenue to UN Avenue, then turn left to Roxas Boulevard until point of destination.

MMDA traffic enforcers will be deployed in the said areas to guide motorists, according to the agency.

The MMDA also announced that number coding would be suspended on Monday.

Job openings

In a related development, close to 12,000 employment opportunities abroad will be offered to jobseekers as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will hold tomorrow a job fair in Mandaluyong City as part of the country’s Independence Day celebration.

“A massive overseas job fair is set to be held for all those looking to find work abroad,” the DMW said.

At least 11,750 job orders will be offered by 32 recruitment agencies and two manning firms during the one-day Overseas Mega Job Fair, according to the agency.

The job fair will be held at the DMW’s central office at EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Among the job openings to be offered are for nurses, welders, construction workers, laborers, waiters/waitresses, baristas, warehouse supervisors, food servers, chefs, bakers, accountants and seafarers. — Rhofina Villanueva