Groups oppose LRT, MRT fare hike

LRT 1 (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — Several lawmakers and groups recently filed a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) at the Supreme Court against the implemented fare hike in both the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

Led by Sen. Victor “JV” Ejercito, petitioners including Parañaque Rep.

Gustavo Tambunting, Ang Nars Partylist Rep.

Leah Paquiz, Buhay Partylist Reps. Lito Atienza, Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Vellarde and former Cavite 3rd District Rep.

Crispin “Boying” Remulla filed the petition.

Aside from the lawmakers, groups including Federation of Free Workers, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Partido Manggagawa and PS LINK also signed the petition.

The groups noted that the failure of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

According to the Executive Order 202, the LTFRB has the “adjudicatory power to determine, prescribe and approve and periodically review and adjust, reasonable fares, rates and other related charges, relative to the operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles.”

Meanwhile, the respondents in the petition includes LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, MRT 3 Office Officer-in-Charge Renato San Jose, Metro Rail Transit Corporation and Light Rail Manila Consortium Administrator Honorito Chaneco.