Malacañang said the recently launched promo for families riding Metro Manila rails every Sunday requires no additional spending as the initiative uses existing government-run transport operations and runs on underutilized capacity.
Sunday family promo in rails requires no budget — Palace
Published Jun 4, 2025 03:09 pm
At A Glance
- Castro said the program is not covered by a special budget.
(Malacañang Photo)
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this following the launch of the Pamilya Pass 1+3 promo that allows one paying passenger to bring up to three other family members for free in MRT-3 and LRT lines 1 and 2.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, June 4, the Palace Press Officer said the program is not covered by a special budget.
"Wala naman pong budget required for the MRT-3 and LRT-2 dahil government-run po ito (There’s no budget required for MRT-3 and LRT-2 because these are government-run)," she said.
"At karaniwan naman po pag Sunday ay hindi naman po napupuno ang LRT at MRT (And Sundays are typically low in ridership)," she added.
Meanwhile, Castro explained why the promo will only run until June 2028, coinciding with the end of President Marcos’ term.
"Nais po ng Pangulo na bigyan din po ng karapatan ang susunod na administrasyon kung ano po ang nanaisin nilang programa patungkol po dito (The President wants to give the next administration the right to decide what programs they want to continue)," she said.
"'Yan po ay respeto lang po ng Pangulo sa susunod na liderato (That’s simply the President’s way of showing respect to the next leadership)," she added.
On Sunday, June 1, President Marcos said the promo allows families to spend less time on transport and enjoy their time together every Sunday.
"Alam naman natin na napakahirap ng oras ng mga komyuter. Madalas nating marinig wala na kaming oras sa pamilya (We know that time is precious to commuters. We often hear that we don't have time for their families)," he said.
"Kaya bigyan natin ng chance para makasama ang inyong pamilya sa pamamagitan nitong Pamilya Pass 1+3 promo (Let's give them an opportunity to bond with this promo),” he added.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the government remains committed to making public transportation accessible and affordable for all Filipinos.
“Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na gawing mas abot-kaya ang pampublikong transportasyon (It is the President's directive to make public transportation more affordable)," he said.
"Ang inisyatibo na ito ay makakatulong maibsan ang gastos ng mga pamilya para mas masaya ang kanilang family time every Sunday (This initiative will help ease the financial burden of families to make them happier during their family time),” he added.