Got vax? Vaccinated persons in Metro Manila can get free train rides from August 3 to 20 to promote more vaccinations, as announced by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade last August 2, 2021.

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) all fall under Secretary Tugade’s order. The three lines will give free train rides to inoculated passengers. According to Manila Bulletin, there will be free train rides from August 3 to the end of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). 

The Metro Manila ECQ will last from August 6 to 20.

Those vaccinated must present their vaccination cards and proof of identification if they want to use the railways.

Secretary Tugade declared via Facebook: “Mas mahalaga sa amin sa DOTr ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan kaysa kita. Kaya naman simula bukas, libre na ang pamasahe ng mga bakunadong APOR, kahit nakaka-isa o dalawang dose na ang mga ito (The people’s health is more important to us than income. That’s why starting tomorrow, APORs who have been vaccinated–be it first dose or second dose–can ride the trains for free).” 

Additionally, Secretary Tugade has made arrangements to distribute snacks to vaccinated persons intending to travel from seaports and airports. 

Not only that, ever since August 2, all buses at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) no longer needed to pay a terminal fee. The PITX is the country’s largest bus terminal and the country’s first-ever landport.

Secretary Tugade even went so far as to urge management to refrain from requiring operational fees. Particularly, during the “TsuperHero Kasangga ng Resbakuna,” a vaccination initiative using some buses as mobile vaccination centers. The initiative aims to see more than 5,000 Public Utility Drivers (PUVs) and conductors get their shots.

So schedule your injections as soon as you can! Get your shots, shots, shots shots shots shots, everybody! – Alex/WhatALife.ph

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Also Read: DOTr to retain public transport supply, capacity in NCR amid ECQ