PRESIDENT MARCOS ORDERS SUSPENSION OF FARE HIKE; ‘LIBRENG SAKAY’ TO ROLL OUT NATIONWIDE

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordered the suspension of the planned fare hike to ease the burden on commuters, while assuring transport workers of additional government support.

In a message to the public, the President said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been directed to defer the implementation of the fare increase, emphasizing that now is not the right time to impose additional costs on workers, students, and daily commuters who rely on the transport system.

President Marcos assured transport operators and drivers that the government will expand support measures, including the rollout of free rides nationwide, fare discounts in MRT and LRT systems, and reduced toll fees, to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and global uncertainties.

“Kaya’t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at i-defer muna natin ‘yan,” President Marcos said in the video message.

“I-postpone na muna natin ‘yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter, sa lahat ng mga ating manggagawa, mga estudyante, lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,” the President added.

To allay fears of the country’s transport sector, the President promised additional state support to mitigate the effects of oil price adjustments.

“Huwag pong mag-alala ang ating mga transport workers dahil mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman ay hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan,” President Marcos added.

The Chief Executive likewise said he has ordered the DOTr to implement “libreng sakay” scheme throughout the country to aid the people.

“Ang DOTR ay inutusan ko na simulan na ang libreng sakay sa buong Pilipinas at puwede po ninyong gamitin na muna ‘yan para pangbawas sa gastos sa pang-araw-araw,” he said.

The MRT and LRT will also offer fare discounts, he said, adding motorists could also avail themselves of discounts when they use the toll roads.

“Kahit na na may malaking gulo na nangyayari ay basta’t kaunti lang ang mararamdaman o sana man – kung kaya naming gawin – sana walang mararamdaman ng ating taong-bayan sa kanilang araw-araw na pagtrabaho, sa ating mga estudyante na araw-araw pumapasok,” said President Marcos.

“Alalahanin po ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay laging nandito. Lagi kaming nag-iisip ng panibagong paraan upang matiyak na ang inyong pamumuhay ay normal, maayos, at ligtas.”