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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Lubos-lubusin na': Cendaña pushes for free train rides amid discount announcement

'Lubos-lubusin na': Cendaña pushes for free train rides amid discount announcement

Published Mar 19, 2026 08:05 pm

At A Glance

  • Train fare discounts are good, but free rides are ideal. Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña gave this reaction Thursday, March 19 to the government's announcement that it will provide a 50 percent fare discount to all LRT (Light Rail Transit)-2 and MRT (Metro Rail Transit)-3 train commuters starting March 23.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña (Akbayan Party-list)
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña (Akbayan Party-list)


Train fare discounts are good, but free rides are ideal.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña gave this reaction Thursday, March 19 to the government’s announcement that it will provide a 50 percent fare discount to all LRT (Light Rail Transit)-2 and MRT (Metro Rail Transit)-3 train commuters starting March 23.
“The government’s discount is good, but the riding public needs free train rides. While we claim this as partial victory in our call for accessible and free public transportation, especially in times of crisis, we believe that the government can actually do more,” Cendaña said.
“Kung kaya magbigay ng malaking discount, lubos-lubusin na nila. Gawin na nilang libre ang train rides para hindi na makabawas pa ang pamasahe sa overall na gastusin ng mamamayan, lalo na at may krisis," noted the House deputy minority leader.
(If they can give a big discount, they should go all the way. Make train rides free so fares no longer add to the overall expenses of the people, especially in times of crisis.)
According to Cendaña, the fuel price crisis has already reached a point where bold and decisive solutions are needed, "not half-hearted measures".
"Itrato natin itong parang may mahal tayo sa buhay na may malalim na karamdaman. Hindi ba gagawin natin ang lahat para mapagaling siya? (Let’s treat this as if we have a loved one suffering from a serious illness. Wouldn’t we do everything possible to help them recover?)" he asked. This, he said, should be the standard of urgency and action the government must abide by in this very pressing situation.
Cendaña, who belongs to the “Akbayan Reform Bloc” comprised of fellow Akbayan Party-list Reps. Chel Diokno, Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands lone district Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, are pushing for a package of immediate and strategic measures to address the crisis.
Last Monday, Akbayan lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted to grant emergency powers to the President to suspend the fuel excise tax.
They are also calling for expanded subsidies for public transport drivers, workers, fishers, and farmers, additional food support for indigent families, the passage of an emergency supplemental budget, and a comprehensive review of the country’s energy policies.
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