LEYTE 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday commended President Marcos. for ordering a 50-percent fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 and the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT) 3.
President Marcos launched the initiative during a ceremony at the MRT-3 Santolan-Annapolis station on Wednesday.
The President earlier directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to raise student fare discounts from 20 percent to 50 percent.
Underscoring the government’s role in easing the financial burden of commuters, Romualdez vowed to back initiatives for the benefit of commuters.
“We are aware of the daily hardships of commuters traveling to and from their jobs, schools and homes. It is our duty as government employees to facilitate their journey, not only with faster and more comfortable vehicles, but also by lowering the fares they pay, Romualdez said.
He lauded the President’s move as a demonstration of genuine concern for ordinary Filipinos, particularly the vulnerable sectors.
“Previously, the discount given to our senior citizens and PWDs was only up to 20 percent on the train fare. Now they will only pay half the fare and this is because of the President’s concern for the people,” Romualdez said in Filipino.
He likewise 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 also expressed full support for the administration’s efforts to improve the people’s commuting experience, vowing to back funding and legislation that sustain fare discounts and strengthen the public transportation system.
“We will continue to promote the interest and welfare of our riders at the opening of the 20th Congress. We will ensure that the extension of fare discounts and other benefits for our commuters is accompanied by adequate funding,” Romualdez said.
