Palace: Gov’t aims to cut subsidy for mass transport systems with MRT, LRT fare hike

MRT interiors. ( Jun Acullador / Flickr)

MANILA — Malacanang on Monday said the government aims to reduce its subsidy for the mass transport systems with the impending fare adjustment, as the Aquino administration ensures it will not pass to its successor the problems it faced when it assumed office.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. reiterated that the impending increase in the fares of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Mass Rail Transit (MRT) lines was “reasonable” and timely.

“Ayaw din ng Pangulo na magpamana sa susunod na administrasyon ng mga suliranin na dapat ay tinukoy na,” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Coloma said the administration needs to address issues concerning subsidy allotted to the MRT and LRT fares.

“At makatuwiran lamang na magkaroon ng adjustment nitong fare structure na ito para mailapit doon sa sinisingil para sa mga air-conditioned buses,” he said.

The PCOO chief believed that there was no need to investigate the planned fare increase.

“Wala nang dapat pang siyasatin hinggil sa makatuwirang batayan ng pagtaas ng pamasahe. Maraming taon nang umiiral ang subsidiya. Panahon nang ilagay sa tama ang sistema ng pasahe,” he said amid call for special session to probe the fare hike.

Nevertheless, Coloma said it is up to Congress to decide the issue, noting “handa ang Ehekutibong ipagtanggol ang desisyon.”

The MRT 3 and LRT 1 and 2 will implement an Php11 basefare plus Php1 per kilometer formula starting Jan. 4.