Duterte laments poor information drive on Beep cards

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lamented the sudden implementation of cashless payments via Beep cards in public transportation, saying provisions should have been made for the poor people who might not have heard the announcement of its mandatory use.

In a pre-recorded public address, Duterte said the information on its implementation did not reach all commuters, especially the poor ones who usually carried only the exact amount for their fare.

“So you’re saying: ‘It’s been reported.’ Who’s the recipient of your news? Do you have classifications of persons you have transmitted the news?” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.

“The problem is — and this is painful for me — there are those who are short of money. They’re not carrying enough,” he added.

“If it’s in the public interest that it be implemented immediately, make provisions for these people — those who have not heard, those who will never hear it, and those who really have nothing in life,” he went on.

Over the weekend, many commuters lamented the sudden implementation of cashless payments in buses where fare cards or beep cards were sold for P180 each — P100 for the card itself and P80 for the initial load.

This prompted the Department of Transportation to suspend the mandatory use of beep cards.

[atm]