AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday lauded President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s order to postpone fare increases for LRT-1 and LRT-2 pending a thorough study.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo kay President Marcos for his wisdom in deferring the implementation of fare increases sa LRT-1 at LRT-2 hanggang wala pang masusing pag-aaral sa magiging epekto nito,” Lee said.
The LRTA had earlier petitioned for an additional P2.50 increase in the LRT-1 and LRT-2 while the MRT-3 is pushing for a P3 to P4 increase.
“Malaking ginhawa po ito para sa ating mga estudyante at manggagawa na bumubuo sa karamihan ng mga sumasakay sa LRT at MRT. Sila ang magiging pinaka-apektado kapag nagtaas ng pamasahe, lalo at nakabalik na tayo sa face-to-face na klase at trabaho,” he added.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Jaime Bautista announced Tuesday in a press briefing that the DOTr has approved fare hikes for both LRT-1 and LRT-2, but will defer its implementation upon the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pending a thorough study on “how a fare hike today will impact on passengers.”
In the same briefing, Bautista revealed the fare hike for MRT-3 was also being deferred “due to infirmities in complying with the requirements and procedure.”
Lee said the proposed LRT-MRT fare hikes, if implemented, would have been a “cruel blow” amid rising inflation levels.
“Malupit na dagok ang fare hike sa harap ng nagmamahal na bilihin. Ang dapat nating ginagawa ay naghahanap ng paraan upang maibsan ang mabigat nang pasan ng ating mga kababayan. Kailangan natin ng mga programa na magiging Winner Tayo Lahat. In this regard, we also thank Sec. Bautista for his sensitivity and for ensuring that due diligence is practiced,” the lawmaker said.
“Napakataas ng inflation rate natin the past three months: 8.7 percent for January, 8.6 percent for February, and 7.6 percent for March. Kaya tama lang na maghintay na pag-aralan muna nating maigi kung ano ang tuluyang epekto ng ganitong pagtaas sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino,” he added.
“The ‘Libreng Sakay’ program extensively helps millions of our fellow Filipinos. Sa ‘Libreng Sakay’, natutulungan at nakikinabang hindi lang ang mga commuter, kundi pati na rin ang mga operator, driver at transport cooperatives.”
Last year, Lee urged his fellow lawmakers to restore the proposed budget of the DOTr for its “Libreng Sakay” program.
“The ‘Libreng Sakay’ program extensively helps millions of our fellow Filipinos. Sa ‘Libreng Sakay’, natutulungan at nakikinabang hindi lang ang mga commuter, kundi pati na rin ang mga operator, driver at transport cooperatives,” said Lee.
Once implemented, the minimum fare for both LRT-1 and LRT-2 will increase to P14 from P12, while the maximum fare for LRT-1 will increase to P35 from P29, and P33 from P28 for LRT-2.
The LRTA had earlier petitioned for an additional P2.50 increase in the LRT-1 and LRT-2 while the MRT-3 is pushing for a P3 to P4 increase.
