PLANNED FARE HIKES for Metro Manila’s three light rail systems could take effect next month, the Transportation department yesterday said.
“It will take one month for us to finish the study. We hope by September after a public hearing to implement the new rates,” Undersecretary Dante M. Velasco said.
He did not provide any estimate as to how much fares could rise, only saying: “[F]or sure, the new rates will still be affordable. We are also looking at other sources to lessen the burden to the commuters.”
Among the options being studied, he said, are discounts for students.
The administration has signalled its intention to hike the fares, with President Benigno C. Aquino III last month claiming the previous government had pressured the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) operator to keep its charges low.
Metro Manila has three light railways: the MRT-3 line which runs almost the entire length of EDSA, the LRT Line 1 from Monumento to Baclaran, and the LRT Line 2 from Santolan to Recto. MRT fares run as high as P15. The top fare for the LRT-1 is P20 while that for Line 2 is P15.
Finance department data show that subsidies to the LRTA which operates LRT lines 1 and 2 amounted to P34 million last year. The government’s 2010 budget, meanwhile, has allocated P645 million for the MRT’s operation and maintenance.
Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima has said the government was looking at either continuing the subsidies but charging value-added tax (VAT) or raising fares outright.
“If we continue the subsidies, we have to collect taxes on the fares. If we charge the right users’ pay[ment], there would be no need to charge VAT,” he said last month.
Mr. Velasco, meanwhile, said the government would push through with the MRT takeover.
“We would push through with the buyout of the Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit Corp. whose build-operate-transfer contract has been costing the government millions…,” he said
“Give us one year to complete our study regarding the buyback. For the meantime, we really see the need to increase fares.” –Businessworld
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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