MetroBriefs
Museum to partly close road to Edsa
THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority warned motorists of heavy traffic on White Plains Avenue starting Sunday until Feb. 29 because of the construction of an “experiential museum” for the 30th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.
MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos on Wednesday said the westbound lane of White Plains, the lane for vehicles coming from Temple Drive to Edsa, would be closed as the People Power Commission (PPC) sets up a museum composed of nine halls depicting the four-day uprising that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.
The setup is expected to occupy three lanes of the avenue and requires the removal of concrete barriers, plant boxes and bike shelters along White Plains.
“The museum will be open from Feb. 25 to 26 but it would take time to construct and remove it,” the MMDA chair explained. Vehicles that need to take White Plains going to Edsa will be directed to the eastbound portion, which will be open to two-way traffic.
But both lanes will be closed on Feb. 25. Motorists can also use the Mabuhay Lane in Santolan and C5 Road, said MMDA Special Operations Officer Emmanuel Miro. Maricar B. Brizuela
Woman, 75, teaches jeepney driver a lesson
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has preventively suspended for three months the driver’s license of a jeepney driver accused of being rude and refusing to give a discount to a visually impaired senior citizen.
The driver, Carlos Sumugat, appeared in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday for the hearing on the complaint filed against him by 75-year-old Rosa Domingo. The incident happened on Jan. 22 around 12:30 p.m. in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, where Domingo and her granddaughter Gigi Moreno took the jeepney driven by Sumugat. Domingo said she was usually charged P10 for the route but Sumugat collected P13, while Moreno was charged P15 instead of the usual P13. When Domingo asked for her senior citizen discount, Sumugat became angry and told them they could just get off the jeepney.
The driver is facing complaints for reckless driving, overcharging of fare, being discourteous and refusing to grant the senior citizen discount.
At the LTFRB hearing, Sumugat asked Domingo for forgiveness, saying he lost his temper because there were just so many things on his mind at that time, board member Ariel Inton said. Inton said it was not a valid excuse to disrespect his passengers, and that the LTFRB would recommend the eventual cancellation of Sumugat’s license. Erika Sauler
