Metro Manila life back to normal
• Banks open today.
• Schools may resume classes.
• PAL domestic and international flights hack to full operation.
• Major department stores doing business.
LIFE in Metro Manila returned to normal after a tension—filled weekend when a people’s revolution successfully toppled the 20-year-old Marcos regime.
Business activity quickly normalized as private banks reopened and department stores appeared to be doing well.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also reported that the Philippine stockmarket zoomed upward on the first day of trading after President Corazon Aquino’s inauguration.
The commission said trading was halted in several major issues after the stocks shot up by 40 percent, the maximum one-day increase allowed.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) resumed its domestic operations at 12 noon yesterday after a one-day cancellation Tuesday for security reasons. International operations resumed Feb. 25 after only half a day suspension.
At the Manila International Airport, some of the seven cancelled international flights have sent Word they were flying again to Manila.
The Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Cathay Pacific have resumed their Manila flights yesterday. The rest are expected to be back in full operation within the week.
Former Education Minister Jaime Laya said that the resumption of classes in Metro Manila will be upon the discretion of school authorities.
Laya cited an education ministry policy which “authorizes” them to resume as well as suspend classes.
Laya also submitted his resignation to President Corazon Aquino. The President yesterday appointed Lourdes Quisimbing as the new Education Minister.
The National Food Authority and the Food Terminal, Inc. will continue selling its basic food commodities at the most affordable prices reached by the masses.,
This assurance was made by former Food Minister Jesus Tanchanco yesterday while giving specific instructions to all its officials and employees “to remain in their present posts and continue discharging their responsibilities to the to the people.
Train schedule for the past two days was normal according to the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
PNR general manager Sebastian Arrastia said they have increased the commuter services from 40 trains a day to 50 beginning today.
At the same time, one train is fielded for passengers servicing the Manila-Legaspi route. The operation of the south line from Manila to Legaspi resumed last Feb. 20.
by EDITHA CAI LAO
EXCEPT for the usual vehicular traffic, all is clean and quiet now between Camps Aguinaldo and Crame located along Epifañio de los Santos Avenue where it became the people’s battlefront four days after Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Chief of the New Armed Forces of the Philippines Fidel Ramos successfully rebelled from the 20-year rule of former President Marcos.
Around 2,000 workers were made available by private citizens to clean the area: among these from janitorial services like Ayala Corporation’ Fieldmen Janitorial Services, K Services, Diar’s Assistance, Inc, “People’ Power Operation Linis,’ Anchor Chemicals Himlayang Pilipino and Boy’s Town.
Food was distributed by concerned citizens to volunteers and to anybody who happened to be near the two military camps.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa tulong ng mga tao. Kung hindi sa kanila, kaming mga taga-PC ay natunaw na sana ngayon,” said Sgt. Charles Laroga who is assigned to man Gate I of Camp Crame.
A volunteer worker attributes the goodness of the “people’s power” to President Corazon C. Aquino. Said he: “Nagkaisa ang lahat ng tao dito sa bayan natin. Nabawasan ang gulo at lahat ng tao na tumutlong ay sumang-ayon na si Cory ang maging presidente.”
