Palace: Possible TRO on fare hike won’t derail MRT upgrade

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MANILA, Philippines–The possible granting of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the train fare increases will not affect the projects lined up to upgrade the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Nakalaan na kasi ‘yung pananalapi at mga resources para sa lahat ng mga proyektong ito. Hindi naman ‘yon maaapektuhan noon kung magkakaroon man ng legal action that will stay the implementation or reverse the implementation of the fare adjustments,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing.

(The funds and resources for these projects have already been allocated. It won’t be affected in case a legal action will uphold or reverse the implementation of the fare adjustments.)

The group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and former Congressman Augusto Syjuco on Monday filed separate petitions in the Supreme Court to stop the fare hike.

Bayan said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has no authority to implement the fare hike and that Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya committed grave abuse of discretion for approving the increase without sufficient basis.

Starting Sunday, the fare formula for the MRT and Lines 1 and 2 of the Light Rail Trainsit was set at P11 (base fare) plus P1 per additional kilometer.

Despite the stumbling blocks against the fare hike, Coloma insisted that the government, through various projects in the pipeline, aims to serve the public and improve the quality of the MRT and the LRT.

“Kaya tayo mayroong mass railway transport service ay para sa kapakanan ng karamihan at ang layunin ng pamahalaan ay ihatid ‘yung komportable at ligtas na biyahe,” he said.

(The reason why we have a mass railway transport service is for the benefit of the majority and the aim of the government is for the railway system to offer trips that are comfortable and safe.)

During the briefing, Coloma echoed an earlier statement by Abaya that the MRT will be having 48 more coaches, which will be delivered starting September this year. This should increase the number of trips per day and reduce the waiting time of the passengers.

Ancillary systems such as power substations, depot facilities, track extensions, signaling and communications systems will also be upgraded.

Most of the projects will commence next month.

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