Free rides rolled out for ASEAN Summit

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism will be offering free modern jeepney rides from Nov. 5 to 14 to promote the ASEAN Summit, DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay announced yesterday.

Angara-Mathay said 30 modern jeepneys would participate in the program, 15 each plying north and south routes from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The DOT said the north route will have four round trips per day from SM Fairview to Buendia.

The south route will have five round trips per day from Sucat and Baclaran.

The tourism chief said the program could serve around 300,000 passengers.

“We want to encourage people to take electric vehicles by making it free for 10 days. That’s about 12,000 passengers daily per jeepney,” Angara-Mathay said.

The DOT is discussing with the Department of Transportation to provide free rides on the Light Rail Transit 1, which is privately operated by the Light Rail Manila Corp.

ASEAN Summit secured

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is reviewing its deployment plans and contingency measures for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Metro Manila from Nov. 16 to 18.

NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano has directed police units to reassess their security preparations and make adjustments based on developments on the ground to ensure the safety of foreign delegates, visitors and the public.

Trump visit

Sectoral groups will hold a 12-day protest action to oppose US President Donald Trump’s visit in the Philippines to discuss the Pax Silica initiative and attend the ASEAN Summit.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the group would start its protest today. - Josiah Antonio, Emmanuel Tupas