Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide free rides on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) to help commuters cope with rising fuel costs amid tensions in the Middle East.
Cendaña said even limited free train rides would help ease the public’s financial burden.
“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. 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,” he explained.
The lawmaker emphasized that mass transportation should be prioritized over private vehicle use during crises.
“Sana ngayong may krisis maging impetus ito para bigyan ng pamahalaan ang publiko, mayaman man o mahirap, ng de kalidad na mass transportation,” Cendaña added.
He also said Akbayan will propose measures to address the impact of the Middle East conflict, including extending the Pantawid Pasada program and encouraging local governments to deploy public utility vehicles for free rides.