Free e-trike rides offer comfort to Manila North Cemetery visitors

Free e-trike rides are offered for the visitors at the Manila North Cemetery from Wednesday, October 30 to Sunday, November 3 for Undas 2024. (Photo from Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Edmond Samson has been volunteering to give free e-trike rides to visitors of Manila North Cemetery every observance of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day since 2017.

While roaming the expansive grounds of the cemetery to help visitors locate their loved ones’ tombs, Samson told INQUIRER.net on Wednesday that he chooses to volunteer because this happens just once a year.

“Masaya kasi nakakatulong kami sa mga tao. Okay lang po ‘yun. Nasa serbisyo namin ang mga PWD (persons with disabilities), ‘yung mga naglalakad” Samson said.

(I’m happy because we get to help people. That’s okay. We are serving the PWDs and those who are walking here.)

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Samson shared that the City of Manila has been offering free e-trike rides for years now, adding that he does not earn any income from providing his e-trike services at the cemetery.

“Minsan lang naman. Kaya inaano namin ‘yung serbisyo namin,” he added.

(It seldom happens. That’s why we are extending our service.)

The 54-year-old e-trike driver said they can go on duty only once from October 30 to November 3, and they have a shifting schedule so the rest can return to their normal operations.

(Photo by Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)

Samson also pointed out that the free rides are only limited to the premises of the cemetery. They are not allowed to transport visitors to other areas.

Meanwhile, Robin Binao, who has been an e-trike driver for eight months, was offering free ride services in the cemetery for the first time.

“Malaking bagay sa mga pumupunta sa mga mahal nila sa buhay. Nakakapunta sila sa mga gusto nilang puntahan,” Binao told INQUIRER.net.

(This is a huge help for those who are visiting their loved ones. They can go wherever they want to go.)

Binao shared that no one urged him to volunteer to offer free e-trike rides, noting that volunteering was an “experience” for him.

“Kailangan mahatid ang pasahero nang maayos. Walang abalang mangyayari… Magampanan ko lang yung trabaho ko dito,” Binao added.

(It’s important to take passengers safely to their destination. There should be no inconvenience… I just want to do my job well here.)

Mayor Honey Lacuna earlier held an inspection at the cemetery and said it was ready to accommodate around 1.5 million visitors from Wednesday to Sunday.

READ: Manila North Cemetery ready for Undas 2024, says mayor 

The cemetery will be open from October 30 to November 3, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.