After many commuters were stranded due to heavy rains that caused floods in many parts of the metropolis the past days, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is planning to extend its operating hours on a case-to-case basis.

LRTA spokesman Hernando Cabrera yesterday said they could extend the operations by an hour depending on the situation.
“Dalawa ang pwede gawin. One is outright extension of one hour, pero case-to-case basis ‘yan. Kung alanganin ang extension, magbibigay tayo ng extra trip. Kunwari kung marami ang nasa istasyon by 9:30 p.m., magpapadala tayo ng three to five extra trains pa para magsakay ng pasahero,” Cabrera said.
He added the extension of the LRT’s operating hours will depend on the time that classes and office work will be suspended and the number of passengers still left at the station.
In case the LRTA decides not to extend its operation, Cabrera said they would just add more trips to ferry the waiting passengers.
Cabrera added they suspend the crowd control when rains are heavy so the passengers can come and seek refuge in their various stations but they will still implement platform control to avoid passenger accidents due to wet floor.
“Ang problema, basa ang platform, madulas. Maraming nagtutulakan at malaki ang posibilidad na may madapa o madulas,” Cabrera said.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced yesterday that the families of the eight elite Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) slain in ambush in Cagayan province last May will receive welfare benefits.

“We mourn for the valiant police officers and the other victims of this heinous crime and we assure the families of the slain policemen and wounded police officers that they will receive full assistance from the commission,” Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Eduardo Escueta said.
Escueta added that aside from the pension, the families of the slain police officers will also receive burial assistance and their children will be given educational assistance.
He also said that the commission will grant medical and hospitalization benefits to the wounded police officers.
“I have already instructed our regional officials in Tuguegarao City to get in touch with the families to give them basic information on the requirements, processes and procedures for the availment of the benefits,” Escueta said.
Members of the PNP and their beneficiaries are expressly granted certain welfare benefits under the provisions of Republic Act 6963 entitled “An Act Granting Special Financial Assistance and Benefits to the Family or Beneficiary of any Police or Military Personnel or Fireman Killed or Permanently Incapacitated while in the Performance of his Duty or By Reason of His Office or Position and for Other Purposes.” These benefits are administered by the Napolcom pursuant to the provisions of Sections 73 and 76 of RA 6975 or the PNP Law.
Each family of the eight slain members of the Special Action Force will receive P250,000 from the President’s Social Fund, P141,000 to P181,000 from the Philippine National Police’ SFA, burial benefits of no less than P50,000 and gratuity of at least P203,000 from the Napolcom.
Roughly between P1.5 million and P2 million will go to each family on top of an estimated P15,000 monthly lifetime pension from the PNP and the same amount for five years from the Napolcom.
A full medical benefits of P170,00 each to the seven wounded.
Last May 27, at least 15 personnel of the 24th Special Action Company, 2nd Special Action Battalion, PNP-SAF based in Barangay Cataratan, Allacapan, Cagayan were ambushed by more or less 30 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels while on their way to Allacapan Municipal Police Station for ECG examination. According to report, one of the three landmines placed at the shoulder of the road was detonated and then followed by volume of gunfire.
The eight fatalities were identified as PO3 Vladimir Tabarrejo, PO2 Engelbert Mateo, PO2 Dexter Cubilla, PO2 Jonel Bowat, PO2 Elmark Rodney Pinated, PO2 Ronald Castulo, PO1 Erick Brioso and PO1 Jerome Sanchez.
Meanwhile, seven other SAF troopers were seriously wounded and they were identified as PO2 Ricky Monay, PO2 Joefrey Amilanagan, PO2 Jefrey Dalwidao, PO2 Geopano Adangi, PO2 Ronald Gomez, PO1 Ryan Asunio and PO1 Ephraim Dollete.
They were evacuated and treated at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) and St. Paul Hospital in Tuguegarao City and are now in stable condition.

Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday exhorted all city officials and employees to continue offering nothing but clean and honest service for the city of Manila and its residents, even with the entry of a new administration.

Lim made the call during yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony, the last under his administration which ends June 30, where he also acknowledged the collective effort of everyone as the reason why his administration was able to accomplish many things.
“Sasamantalahin ko na ang pagkakataong ito para pasalamatan kayong lahat. Lahat kayo — from the department heads to the lower echelon to the janitors and messengers. Lahat ng tumulong sa paglilingkod sa ating lungsod at sa mga taga-Maynila,” Lim said.
“Bagamat hindi lahat ng tao ay mabibigyan natin ng kasiyahan, masasabi natin na lahat ng paraan ay ginawa natin upang makapagbigay ng malinis, marangal at matapat na paglilingkod,” he added.
Upon seeing most of the employees crying, Lim advised them not to take the situation too seriously, stressing that everything can be overcome eventually.
“It’s a pleasure and honor to have worked with you, in aspiring to achieve the highest interest and welfare of Manilans. Lahat tayo nagkatulungan,” the mayor said.
Citing the achievements being reported by each department weekly during flag ceremonies being held at the city hall’s Freedom Triangle as accomplishments under his administration, Lim said all those achievements would not have been possible without the help of city officials and employees.
“Me mga sinasabing nagawa ko. Di ko magagawa lahat ng ‘yun sa sarili ko lang. ‘Yan ay sa pamamagitan ng bawat isa sa inyo. Naitayo ang mga proyekto dahil sa inyo at sa mga taga-Maynila. Nagkasama-sama lang tayo at nagkatulong-tulong para matamo ang tagumpay,” the mayor added.
Lim called on the employees and officials present to continue giving clean and honest government service once the new administration comes in.
“’Yung suportang ibinigay ninyo sa akin, dagdagan pa ninyo alang-alang sa kapakanan ng Maynila at mga taga-lungsod ng Maynila,” he added.