By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the scheduled implementation of the approved fare increases for public utility vehicles (PUVs) on Thursday.
In a video message on Wednesday, Marcos said raising the minimum fare for public transport is inappropriate, given the burden that it may place on Filipinos who are already feeling the effects of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Marcos emphasized the need to continue providing support to affected Filipinos, including the commuters.
“Sa aking palagay, dahil nga may problema pa rin tayo dahil sa gyera sa Middle East ay sabi ko siguro hindi ito ang panahon para magtaas ng pamasahe para sa ating mga kababayan (In my view, since we are still facing problems due to the conflict in the Middle East, I said that perhaps this is not the right time to raise fares for our people),” Marcos said.
“Kaya’t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at i-defer muna natin yan. I-postpone na muna natin iyan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter (That is why I ordered the DOTr to suspend the fare hike and defer it for now. Let us postpone it, because we are in the middle of this situation where we need to continue supporting our commuters),” he added.
Marcos’ directive came after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Tuesday announced that fare increases ranging from PHP1 to as much as PHP40 would be implemented for all modes of land transportation starting Thursday.
Marcos said the commuting public – mostly workers and students – cannot afford to suffer further, as they are already bearing the brunt of tensions in the Gulf region, which have driven up prices of fuel products and basic commodities.
He said PUV drivers need not worry since government interventions are already in place to help them cope with the present challenges caused by the Middle East conflict.
“Huwag pong mag-alala ang ating mga transport workers dahil mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan (Transport workers should not worry because will act quickly and increase support for you so that you will not have too much difficulty),” Marcos said.
Other relief measures
Marcos also instructed the DOTr to launch free rides nationwide to help ease the financial burden of commuters.
He also ordered to offer fare discounts to passengers of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT).
On top of relief measures, Marcos also directed the giving of discounts on toll roads to reduce costs for motorists.
Marcos assured that efforts are underway to cushion the impact of the ongoing conflict on daily life.
“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. Maraming salamat po (Please remember that your government is always here. We are constantly thinking of new ways to ensure that your lives remain normal, orderly, and safe),” he said. (PNA)
