MRT to give free rides to soldiers starting April 25

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 23): MRT to give free rides to soldiers starting April 25

All active personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be entitled to free rides at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) starting April 25.

Active military personnel may avail of the MRT ride for free upon showing their AFP identification cards which will serve as their access pass, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The access pass will be valid for a year.

The DOTr and AFP will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Wednesday at the MRT-3 depot in Quezon City to formalize the partnership.

The MOA will be signed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, MRT-3 General Manager Rodolfo Garcia and Civil Relations Service AFP Commander Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin Jr.

This will be noted by Batan and AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez Jr. and approved by Tugade and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzano.

Tugade said the free train ride is a way for the DOTr to recognize the sacrifices of the military.

“Isa sa pinakamahirap na tungkulin ang maging sundalo. Maliit na pabor lamang ito bilang pasasalamat sa kanilang sakripisyo at pagmamahal sa bayan (One of the hardest job is to be a soldier. It's only a token gratitude for their sacrifice and love for the country),” Tugade said in a statement Monday.

For its part, the AFP will be providing the MRT ambulance and medical teams for assistance during emergency and crisis situations.

An agreement was also signed last year between the AFP and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), granting all uniformed personnel free rides until December 2018 at the LRT-2 as a gesture of appreciation for the soldiers who risked their lives during the Marawi siege.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1032964