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
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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