MANILA, Philippines -- Metro Manila workers may have their non-working holiday on June 9 instead of June 12, but they will at least enjoy free MRT and LRT rides on Independence Day.

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) System will be giving free rides during peak hours Thursday next week, from 7 a.m. to 9am and from 5 p.m. to 7p.m., officials said. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) made the same announcement on Wednesday.

"This is the first time we will be giving free rides to commemorate Independence Day following top-level instructions," Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and MRT general manager Roberto Lastimoso told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.

"It is a way to celebrate and also offer some relief (from high prices of goods and services) to our commuters," he said.

"We do this every year in observance of freedom day," LRTA spokesperson Jinky Jorgio said.

The LRT system consists of the LRT Line 1, which runs from Monumento in Caloocan City to Baclaran in Manila, and the LRT Line 2, which runs from Recto in Manila to the end of Santolan.

The MRT, meanwhile, serves 13 stations spaced out along EDSA, from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Manila.

MRT public information officer Lysa Blancaflor told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday they decided to offer the free rides on June 12, a regular working day, instead of June 9, to which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo moved the holiday, to allow as many people as possible to avail of the treat.

She said the MRT would tighten security on Independence Day in anticipation of the surge of commuters taking advantage of the free rides.

?There will be the usual bag checkers, but there will also be additional security personnel to ensure that passenger flow is controlled,? Blancaflor said. With Abigail Kwok, INQUIRER.net