LRT seems to be preggy
moms' favorite transportation for delivery.
Another pregnant woman on board almost gave birth in one of the stations of
the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Authority in Line 1 on Wednesday morning.
Mary Ann Opedra, 22 years old of E. Rodriguez St. Baclaran, Pasay City
delivered her first child at Pasay General Hospital at around 8:44 am after
being rushed by LRT frontline personnel to the nearest hospital near
Libertad Station.
Accompanied by her husband Renato, On-duty Head Guard Arius Serioza said,
the couple was on their way to Doroteo Jose station for Opedra?s monthly
check-up in Fabella Memorial Hospital.
En route to Sampaloc, Manila aboard the LRT train, Opedra?s contractions
reportedly grew more unbearable even before they reached the Doroteo Jose
Station, prompting her to decide to disembark at the Libertad station.
Attracting a small commotion inside the train, the guard was prompted to
call other station personnel for assistance to carry the pregnant woman to
the nearest hospital. Upon seeing the urgency of the situation, the station
supervisor at Libertad station directed them to bring Ms. Orpedra to Pasay
General Hospital.
"We sought the assistance of our guards to lay her on the stretcher
available at the station, and transported her to the Pasay General hospital
near Libertad Station," Rosella Hugo, station supervisor narrated.
HG Serioza, Cea and LG Sadje accompanied Ms. Opedra to the hospital while
her husband went home to get things for the baby.
LRT management extended financial assistance to the family as they are not
prepared financially. The baby girl was named Liberty Anne, after the name
of Libertad station.
LRT management extended financial assistance to the family as they are not
prepared financially. The baby girl was named Liberty Anne, after the name
of Libertad station.
"Apart from our regular duties to ferry passengers safely to their
destinations, it is also our responsibility to render our unselfish service
to anyone who is in need of immediate assistance at the revenue line. This
is a policy that we keep on reminding our LRTA employees," LRTA
Administrator Rafael S. Rodriguez said.
He added: "This is the reason why we segregate passengers and maintain the
first coach of the train as a special boarding area for pregnant women,
senior citizens and PWDs."
On October 30, 2010 LRT Head Guard Elnora B. Castro helped a pregnant woman
to deliver her son at the platform area of Pedro Gil Station. Ms. Castro
received recognition from Management and was absorbed for employment because
of her invaluable service.
And on May 5, 2005, Lea Aquino Ababa of Pasay City gave birth to a baby girl
inside the station while on her way to Fabella Memorial Hospital. This was
the first time that an LRT passenger gave birth inside the LRT station. She
was named Dorotea, after the name of the station.