House Speaker Martin Romualdez has highlighted the positive impact that the 50 percent student fare discount on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) will have on Filipino learners and their families. 

Romualdez. Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, says this initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) is a concrete measure that eases the financial burden of families and advances President Marcos' whole-of-government approach to education reform.

“Ang mas murang pamasahe sa MRT at LRT ay ginhawa sa bulsa ng mga pamilya na nagsusumikap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang kanilang mga anak at kapatid. Magagamit pa ng estudyante ang matitipid niya sa iba pang gastusin gaya ng libro at iba pang pangangailangan sa pag-aaral,” said the Leyte 1st district lawmaker.

(Lower fares on the MRT and LRT ease the financial burden on families striving to help their children and siblings finish their education. The savings students gain can be used for other expenses such as books and other school needs.)

Romualdez lauded President Marcos for his foresight in linking education reform with immediate cost-saving measures.

“Mula sa puso ang malasakit at kalinga ng ating Pangulo para sa ating mga estudyante, pagka’t pangarap niya na ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay may nakapagtapos. Ito ang kahulugan ng lingkod-bayan—paghahanap at pagpapatupad ng solusyon para maibsan ang pasanin ng pamilya sa pagpapaaral,” he said.

(The President’s compassion and care for our students come from the heart, because it is his dream that every Filipino family has a graduate. This is the meaning of public service—seeking and implementing solutions to ease the burden families face in sending their children to school.)

He added: “Ang pagtutulungan ng DepEd at DOTr sa pagpapatupad ng programang ito ay malinaw na halimbawa kung paano nagbubunga ng positibong resulta ang pagkakaisa ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Dahil dito, mas maraming estudyante ang makikinabang at mas mapapadali ang kanilang paglalakbay tungo sa edukasyon at magandang kinabukasan."

(The collaboration between DepEd and DOTr in implementing this program is a clear example of how unity among government agencies yields positive results. Because of this, more students will benefit and their journey toward education and a better future will be made easier.)

Earlier, the DepEd announced it would assist the DOTr in rolling out the 50-percent fare discount for students on MRT and LRT lines to ensure that schools and parents are fully informed about this benefit so that students—from Metro Manila to the farthest regions—can truly feel the government’s support.

Initially rolled out in June 2025, the program will run until 2028, and cover students from kindergarten to graduate school—including those in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Special Education (SPED)—allowing eligible students unlimited discounted rides on all Metro Manila rail lines.

Under the program, eligible students can enjoy the discount with no daily or monthly limit. Starting September, special white Beep cards that automatically apply the 50-percent discount will be made available at train stations, minimizing wait times.

Meanwhile, the Speaker also expressed full support for the education reforms outlined in the President’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). He urged DepEd and other agencies to sustain and expand programs that directly benefit students.

“As public servants, we must go beyond what’s been done—working even harder for our students, who will shape the nation's future as leaders of change,” he said.

Romualdez assured that the House of Representatives will continue to craft legislation and support the proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 to further strengthen the education sector.