The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced its “12 Days of Christmas” program, offering free rides, or libreng sakay, across the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, starting this weekend.
The initiative is designed to benefit various sectors leading up to and including Christmas Day.
The staggered schedule for the free rides is as follows: December 14 for senior citizens; December 15 for students; December 16 for OFWs and their families; December 17 for teachers and health care workers; December 18 for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and male passengers; December 19 for government employees; December 20 for female passengers; December 21 for families; December 22 for the LGBTQIA+ community and solo parents; December 23 for private sector employees and kasambahays (domestic workers); and December 24 for uniformed personnel, veterans, and their families. All passengers will be eligible for free rides on Christmas Day, December 25.
DOTr Chief Atty. Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez assured the public that the program would have minimal requirements to ensure accessibility.
Lopez noted that while some groups like senior citizens may need identification, requirements for general categories like male passengers would be waived. “You don’t have to be very strict,” Lopez said, emphasizing that those who look old will also be allowed to avail of the senior citizen privilege.
In preparation for the holiday rush, the DOTr also launched supporting initiatives, including ensuring all comfort rooms and elevators in MRT-3 and LRT-2 stations are functional and clean. Furthermore, all 13 MRT-3 stations have been equipped with new lighting to improve overall illumination and security.
Acting Philippine National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. affirmed that the lighting initiative would help enhance commuter safety, noting the heightened security efforts in time for the Christmas holiday rush, particularly in stations where petty crimes like theft, robbery, and the seizure of illegal drugs have been recorded.