Solon slams proposed rush hour rate: Why pass burden to commuters?

MANILA, Philippines — Minority lawmaker Rep. Arlene Brosas on Friday lambasted the proposed rush hour rate that seeks to charge commuters extra during peak travel hours.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is reviewing a petition for the rush hour rate in light of rising gas prices. Brosas, representing the Gabriela Women’s Party, questioned why the burden is being passed on to commuters while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s office requested higher travel funds.

READ: DBM: Bongbong Marcos’ P1.4 B travel budget proposal ‘justified’

“Ipapasa ang dagdag pamasahe sa mga komyuter habang ang Presidente, nanghihingi ng dagdag na badyet sa kaniyang mga byahe. Pag-aawayin pa ang mga drayber at mananakay, sa halip na pokusan ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno ang mga aktwal na problema ng jeepney phaseout at muling pagsipa ng presyo ng petrolyo,” said Brosas in a statement.

(The added fare will be put on to commuters while the President asks for more budget for his travels. Drivers and commuters are pitted against one another instead of the government focusing on the actual problem of jeepney phaseouts and repealed petroleum price hikes.)

“Why would commuters pay more for hours of inconvenience even as transport officials and the Marcos Jr. administration continue to sit idly over the worsening public transport mess? Surge pricing in PUVs [public utility vehicles] will further reduce the already low take-home pay of workers,” she questioned.

Brosas insists that such a proposal should not be discussed and urged transport officials to fully reject the idea. She added that the Marcos administration should lower petroleum prices by scrapping oil excise taxes and prioritizing programs to improve mass transportation.

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