Government employees will be treated to free train rides Thursday as the administration pays tribute to every cog that keeps the public service machinery running.
In line with the celebration of the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary this September, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has partnered with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the offering of free train rides to government workers.
Free rides will be available at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2 lines on September 29 from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. State workers need only to present an employee ID to avail of this special offer.
“This is a good way of showing our appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices of public servants,” said CSC Chair Francisco T. Duque III.
Government workers were also given a 10-percent discount on SM Department Store items earlier this month.
About 1.25 million commuters take the LRT and MRT trains every day. The MRT line runs along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, from Taft Avenue in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City.
The LRT line 1 runs along Taft Avenue from Baclaran, in Parañaque to Roosevelt in Quezon City, while line 2 runs along Aurora Boulevard from Recto, Manila to Santolan, Marikina.
The CSC has been holding several activities in celebration of its anniversary since the start of the month.
The commission said the celebration calls for state workers nationwide to respond to President Benigno Aquino III’s call for reform – to tread the “tuwid na daan” (righteous path) – and aim for Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective public service in relation with its anniversary theme, “Championing RACE: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed.”
Aside from the one-day free rides, various activities were also held in line with the anniversary, including a fun run led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and a government chorale competition where the National Power Chorale of the National Power Corporation won as champion, it also said.
Public servants also participated in essay writing, book cover design and photography contests, it added.
Originally posted at 06:16 pm | Wednesday, September 28, 2011