President Marcos announced that passengers can ride the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 train lines for free on Friday, Dec. 20, to help the people with their expenses this coming Christmas.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19, the President said the initiative is expected to benefit 1.1 million passengers—the highest ridership recorded this year.

"Ang inisyatibong ito ay isang simpleng paraan upang maibsan ang gastos ng ating mga kababayang abala sa paghahanda para sa Pasko (This initiative is a simple way to ease the expenses of our people who are busy preparing for Christmas)," he wrote.

"Nawa’y magdulot ito ng ginhawa at maramdaman ng lahat ang malasakit ng pamahalaan ngayong Kapaskuhan (We hope this will bring relief to the people and make them feel the governent's compassion this Christmas season)," he added.

In a message to Palace reporters, acting Communications Secretary Cesar Chavez said the Office of the President (OP) will subsidize the free rides, which will take effect from the start until the end of the train lines' operating hours on Dec. 20.

"Kung magkano ang dapat revenue ng LRMC (Light Rail Manila Corporation) sa Line 1, LRTA (Light Rail Transit Authority) sa Line 2, at DOTr (Department of Transportation) sa MRT3 sa araw na ito ay babayaran sa kanila ng OP (The OP will pay the LRMC, LRTA, and the DOTr for whatever revenue they would have made that day)," he said.

Chavez likewise explained that the date Dec. 20 was chosen because the last Friday before Christmas usually has the most passengers on the trains.

The initiative will also help passengers going to bus terminals in Manila, Caloocan, Cubao, and North Avenue. It will also be beneficial to those going to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx), which is now being serviced by LRT-1.

Some 460,000 passengers are expected to ride the LRT-1 on Friday while 200,000 and 450,000 passengers are expected to take the LRT-2 and MRT-3, respectively.