We have some great news for Authorized Persons Outside their Residence (APOR) who have already started or completed their COVID-19 vaccination shots. The Department of Transportation is giving free train rides for vaccinated APORs until the end of ECQ.
DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade announced on his Facebook page that he is mandating the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2), and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) to give free train rides to APORs with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The free ride will start today August 3, 2021 and will last until the end of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period on August 20, 2021.
“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 narid ang mga ito. Upang maka-avail ng libreng pamasahe, kinakailangan lamang na iprisinta ng mga APOR ang kanilang vaccination cards bilang patunay na sila ay nakatanggap na ng bakuna”, said DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade.
The Secretary said vaccinated passengers will only need to present their vaccination cards to avail the free train rides during this ECQ. The vaccination cards will serve as proof that they have already been inoculated. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier announced that individuals with scheduled vaccinations are considered APOR. This means you can still avail of the free train ride as long as you have a confirmed appointment with you.
Moreover, the Secretary said that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will provide free coffee, water, and snacks to vaccinated passengers waiting at the seaports and airports. This move is part of the department’s efforts to support the government’s national vaccination program and encourage more people to get their jabs.
