By Lane Afable, News Editor
Starting April 15, commuters nationwide will get a 20-percent fare discount following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to implement the cut.
President Marcos’ order forms part of the government’s service contracting program under the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which also provides a fuel subsidy of P10 per liter to public utility vehicles (PUVs) to cushion the impact of volatile oil prices despite easing tensions in the Middle East.
“Mayroon din 20 percent fare discount ang mga commuter nang sa ganun ay mabawasan ang kanilang gastos sa pamasahe,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace officer Claire Castro during a Palace press briefing alongside DOE Secretary Sharon Garin and LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza.
“Mayroon tayong fare matrix na ilalabas para makita ng ating mga pasahero magkano po dapat nilang bayaran based on the 20% discount.
“Remember, this is on top of kung mayroon mga senior citizen, PWD, or entitled to ride the 20 percent may dagdag na 20 percent po iyan. So, maglalabas tayo ng fare matrix na kailangang nakapaskil po sa sasakyan,” Mendoza added.
Malacañang emphasized that the initiative seeks to ease the financial burden on the riding public while ensuring the continued viability of transport operators.
“Ayon sa Pangulo, tuloy ang biyahe, tuloy ang hanapbuhay,” Castro added.
The nationwide program is expected to cover approximately 50,000 PUVs operated by around 1,000 transport operators, benefiting an estimated 15 million commuters.
