This Week in Metro Manila (July 16 to 22, 2018)

Thunderstorms would continue to bring intense downpours in the city for the whole week. Just like in the previous week, rain might fall between afternoon and night—bringing in some cold and strong winds. As usual, everyone is advised to bring an umbrella with them wherever they go. Jackets are a good idea for those who get cold easily, as the temperature will fall in a range of 29 °C to 31 °C [1].

To be updated on the weather situation, monitor the social media pages of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and stay tuned on local news programs.

Previous reports stated that the provincial bus ban on EDSA will take effect on July 15, but recently the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the ban would be implemented on August 1 instead [2].

The MMDA also stated that the provincial Point-to-Point buses are not included in the ban. It would only apply to both northbound and southbound provincial buses that will pass through Cubao, Quezon City to Pasay City [3].

Anyone who’s visiting Pasig City this July 16 can expect an earthquake drill that will start at around 3:00 PM. The drill will cover every establishment in Pasig City, whether it’s a public or private institution. The Pasig City Command Center (Pasig C3) stated that roads are expected to have heavy traffic as well. If anyone’s planning to visit some tourist spots in Pasig City, head earlier and leave earlier to avoid the commotion. If it’s unavoidable, pack extra patience [4].

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory (LTFRB) approved the increase in the minimum fares on public jeepneys effective July 6. From PhP8, the fare is now increased to PhP9 in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4. The provision states that the PhP1 increase will cover only the first four kilometers but won’t affect the succeeding kilometers [5]. Students, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens are still entitled to a 20% discount [6].