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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cendaña pushes for free LRT, MRT rides amid fuel price crisis

Cendaña pushes for free LRT, MRT rides amid fuel price crisis

Published Mar 9, 2026 12:58 pm  |  Updated Mar 9, 2026 01:10 pm

At A Glance

  • The Department of Transportation (DOTr) should offer free Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 rides to commuters on certain days as a way to spur public transport use amid runaway pump fuel prices.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


The Department of Transportation (DOTr) should offer free Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 rides to commuters on certain days as a way to spur public transport use amid runaway pump fuel prices.
Making the appeal in a statement Monday, March 9 was House Deputy Minority Leader Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña.
“Kung kinaya ng DOTr na gawing pamasko sa mga commuters ang free MRT rides, kayang-kaya rin nating gawing libre ito habang may kinakaharap tayong krisis (If the DOTr was able to offer free MRT rides as a Christmas gift to commuters, then we can certainly make them free now while we are facing a crisis)," he said.
"Commuters will bear the brunt of the rise in fuel prices. Kahit papaano kung may libreng sakay maiibsan nila yung taas presyo ng petrolyo at mga bilihin (At the very least, free rides can help ease the impact of higher petroleum costs and commodity prices)," noted Cendaña.
“During these times of crisis, the government must hold the hands of our citizens," he added, referring to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which triggered the "big-time" fuel price hikes.
Akbayan also noted that one silver lining in the crisis was to prioritize public mass transportation over private car use.
“Dahil kapos tayo sa mass transportation (Because we lack sufficient mass transportation), those with resources opt to drive cars while ordinary workers have to settle for inefficient public transport options," Cendaña said.
"Sana ngayong may krisis maging impetus ito para bigyan ng pamahalaan ang publiko, mayaman man o mahirap, ng de kalidad na mass transportation (Hopefully, this crisis can serve as an impetus for government to provide the public, whether rich or poor, with quality mass transportation),"
Furthermore, Akbayan says it will file a slew of measures urging a stronger response from the government to address issues arising from the conflict including proposals to expand and increase the Pantawid Pasada Program and encourage local government units to explore service contracting of public utility vehicles to offer free transportation to commuters.
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