MRT3, LRT2 offer free rides for visually impaired passengers until Aug. 6

In commemoration of the White Cane Safety Day, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) and the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT2) have announced that visually impaired passengers can avail of free rides from August 1 to August 6.

MRT3 said that commuters with visual impairment need only to present their valid person with disability (PWD) identification card to the security personnel in the train stations.

One of their companions may also get a free MRT3 ride.

"Nakikiisa po ang MRT-3 sa pagdiriwang ng buong bansa ng World Cane Safety Day. Patuloy nating bibigyang prayoridad ang kapakanan at mga karapatan ng ating visually impaired passengers lalo na sa sapat, mabilis, komportable, at maaasahang transportasyon," said Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways and MRT3 officer-in-charge Jorjette Aquino in a statement on Monday.

(MRT3 is one in celebrating World Cane Safety Day. We will continue to prioritize the welfare and rights of our visually impaired passengers, especially through adequate, fast, comfortable, and reliable transportation.)

Meanwhile, LRT2 said Wednesday that 94 visually impaired passengers availed of their free rides on Tuesday.

Their one accompanying passenger could also enjoy the free LRT2 rides until 9:30 p.m. on August 6.

They just also need to present their PWD IDs at the Passenger Assistance Office or ticket booth to avail the free train ride.

MRT3 stretches from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. Stations of the LRT2, on the other hand, are from Recto in Manila to Antipolo in Rizal.

Cataract

Among the major causes of visual impairment is cataract, according to Department of Health (DOH) Disease Prevention and Control Bureau’s Adult Elderly Health and Special Population Division senior health program officer Ma. Cristina Raymundo.

Citing 2018 data during a Kapihan forum on Wednesday, she said that at least 1.1 million Filipinos were diagnosed with cataract, with around 333,000 of them requiring eye surgery.

There were over 398,000 Filipinos who also suffer from uncorrected error of refraction, while 293,000 Filipinos were found to have glaucoma.

Raymundo thus reminded that the month of August is considered as Sight Saving Month, stressing the importance of protecting and taking good care of the eyes, and encouraging the public of the available means to restore lost eyesight and the value of organ donation.

“Let’s remember to see the person, not the disability,” she added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News