Protests greet LRT, MRT consultation on fare hikes

PHOTO BY KRISTINE SABILLO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Various groups opposing the proposed fare increase for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) protested outside the LRT depot in Santolan just before the public consultation scheduled this Thursday afternoon.

Protesters carrying flags and placards with the words “Stop MRT-LRT fare hike” stood outside the LRT Santolan station, their leaders giving speeches on why the increase should not push through.

“Walang batayan yung fare hike [The fare hike has no basis],” Riles spokesperson Sammy Malunes told Inquirer.net. “Meron silang (LRTA) budget yearly na inaapprove ng Congress [They have a budget that is approved yearly by Congress].”

He said that if something should change, it should be the one-sided and onerous contracts entered by the government with private companies.

Malunes pointed out that the government could afford to subsidize mass transportation, especially if corruption and other injustices were stopped.

He said this would be the third public consultation they would attend.

Malunes said the government should just listen to the public.

Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), in its position paper, questioned the lack of “clear rules” on how the LRTA would process and consider contrary positions to the fare increase.

The group also pointed out the ill-timing of the consultation as the public was still reeling from a series of calamities and price increases.

“The public is burdened by the successive increase in power rates, LPG prices, oil prices, and possibly a jeepney fare increase,” Bayan said.
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