Marcos suspends fare hike

MANILA, Philippines, March 19 ------ President Marcos has suspended the fare increase scheduled today, saying commuters – mostly workers and students – need not be burdened further, with the crisis in the Middle East still raging. But he assured transport operators and drivers of additional support from the government. “In my view, since we still have a problem because of the war in the Middle East, I realized maybe this is not the time to raise fares, for our countrymen,” Marcos said in a video message in Filipino. “Let’s postpone it for now because we are in the middle of a situation where we need to continue to support our commuters, all our workers, students, everyone who uses our transportation system,” he said. “So I ordered the DOTr (Department of Transportation) to suspend the fare hike. Let’s defer it for now,” Marcos added.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which approved the provisional increase on Tuesday and mandated it to take effect today, said it would send out 50 “mystery riders” to make sure the President’s suspension order is strictly followed by drivers and operators. “They’re just there to get the facts,” LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum a few hours before the President suspended the fare increase. “Right now we’re getting reports that there are errors in charging and we’ll issue show-cause orders why they charge a big amount,” he added. Violators face cancellation or suspension of franchise if proven guilty.

In his video message, the President committed additional support for transport workers. “Our transport workers need not worry because we will expedite and increase our assistance to ease your burden,” Marcos said. The Chief Executive likewise directed the DOTr to implement a “Libreng Sakay” scheme nationwide. “I have directed the DOTr to start free rides throughout the Philippines to reduce the riding public’s daily expenses,” he said. He said the Metro Rail Transit and the Light Rail Transit would also offer fare discounts, while discounts for toll roads are also underway. “Even if there is a major disruption, we hope to make it a little bit less of a burden for the public,” he said.

Source: philstar.com