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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Expanded LRT, MRT fare discounts show PBBM's concern for ordinary Pinoys--Romualdez

Expanded LRT, MRT fare discounts show PBBM's concern for ordinary Pinoys--Romualdez

Published Jul 18, 2025 12:41 pm

At A Glance

  • Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez says President Marcos' order to expand the fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) riding the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 displays the latter's genuine concern for ordinary Filipinos.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Speaker’s office, Facebook)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Speaker’s office, Facebook)


Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez says President Marcos' order to expand the fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) riding the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 displays the latter's genuine concern for ordinary Filipinos.
"Dati ay hanggang 20 percent lamang ang discount na ibinibigay sa train fare ng ating mga senior citizens at PWDs. Ngayon ay kalahati na lang ng pamasahe ang kanilang babayaran at ito ay dahil sa malasakit ng Pangulo para sa mga mamamayan," Romualdez said in a statement Friday, July 18.
(Previously, senior citizens and persons with disabilities received only up to a 20 percent discount on train fares. Today, they will pay only half the price, thanks to the President’s compassion for the people.)
President Marcos launched the initiative during a ceremony at the MRT-3 Santolan-Annapolis station on Wednesday.
In addition to the increased discounts for the elderly and PWDs, the President had also directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to raise student fare discounts from 20 percent to 50 percent.
"Batid natin ang araw-araw hirap ng mga mananakay sa pagbiyahe papunta at pauwi sa kanilang mga trabaho, paaralan at tahanan. Katungkulan naming mga kawani ng pamahalaan na padaliin ang kanilang biyahe, hindi lamang sa mas mabilis at kumportableng mga sasakyan, kung hindi sa pagbaba ng kanilang binabayarang pamasahe,"
(We are keenly aware of the daily struggles commuters face as they travel to and from work, school, and home. As public servants, it is our duty to ease their journeys, not only by providing faster and more comfortable transportation, but also by reducing the fares they have to pay.)
The former House Speaker also welcomed the inaugural trip of the Dalian trains, which had been idle in storage for over a decade. President Marcos led the launch as part of the government’s broader commitment to modernizing public transportation and maximizing existing assets.
Romualdez expressed full support for the administration’s efforts to improve the commuting experience, vowing to back funding and legislation that sustain fare discounts and strengthen the public transportation system.
"Patuloy nating isusulong ang interes at kapakanan ng ating mga mananakay sa pagbukas ng 20th Congress. Sisiguruhin natin na ang pagpapalawig ng mga fare discounts at iba pang mga benepisyo para sa ating mga commuters ay may kaakibat na sapat na pondo," Romualdez said.
(As we open the 20th Congress, we remain committed to advancing the interests and welfare of our commuters. We will ensure that the expansion of fare discounts and other benefits for our riding public is backed by sufficient funding.)
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