Protesters: LRT rate hike antipoor

Militant groups on Monday told the government to disclose the “financial situations” of the Metro and Light Rail Transit that supposedly warranted an increase in fares, which they branded as antipoor.

The demand was contained in a one-page letter delivered by the protesters to the head office of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in Barangay (village) Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City.

About 20 protesters converged outside the DOTC office at about 10 a.m., carrying antifare hike signs and tarpaulins, while bashing President Aquino and Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya for their “antipoor” stance.

Members of Anakbayan, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Riles Laan sa Sambayanan Network joined the demonstration.

“What is the hike for? What we pay [in MRT/LRT fare] is enough for maintenance and expansion,” said Piston national president George San Mateo.

The one-page letter, drafted by Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, and signed by San Mateo, Anakbayan national chairman Vencer Crisostomo and Riles convenor Sammy Malunes, asked for justification for the increase, and a disclosure of where the funds would go.

San Mateo, however, dodged questions whether the militant groups would welcome the fare increase should the government issue a “satisfactory response” to their letter.