📷 A protest was initiated by BAYAN MUNA in collaboration with Piston and Selda in front of the LRT-Monumento station to oppose the fare increase approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for LRT1. They tore up the concessionaire agreement between the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) and the DOTr as a symbol of the people’s desire to halt the privatization of public services. | Bayan Muna Partylist
Former Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite strongly condemns the Department of Transportation’s approval of the LRT-1 fare increase, calling it another burden on the Filipino people amid rising costs of basic goods and services.
Gaite highlighted the government’s double standard in addressing the concerns of workers versus big business interests.
“The stark contrast is glaring. When workers demand significant wage increases, the government presents countless excuses and obstacles. But when big capitalists ask for hikes, approval comes swiftly and without hesitation,” Gaite said.
“Kapag ang mga manggagawa ang humihingi ng signipikanteng dagdag na sahod, ang daming dahilan. Pero kapag ang malalaking kapitalista ang humirit ng dagdag singil, ang bilis maaprubahan. Saan ang hustisya dito?” he added.
The approved fare matrix, set to take effect on April 2, will increase the maximum single journey fare from P45 to P55, and the minimum fare from P15 to P20.
“This is unacceptable. The majority of LRT-1 riders are minimum wage workers who are already struggling with daily expenses. Pahirap, pabigat sa pasaherong Pilipino (tila 4Ps) ito, lalo na sa ating mga manggagawa at mga commuter na walang ibang choice kundi mag-LRT araw-araw,” Gaite emphasized.
Bayan Muna demands the immediate suspension of the fare hike implementation and calls for a thorough review of the fare adjustment mechanism that consistently favors private concessionaires over public interest.
“We call on the public to join us in opposing this anti-people fare increase. Hindi pwedeng habang tumataas ang presyo ng bilihin, pahihirapan pa natin ang mamamayan sa dagdag-pasahe,” Gaite concluded.#
