The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) calls on Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon to include minimum wage earners as beneficiaries of the 50% discount in LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3.
“As we continue to relentlessly press both the Senate and the House of Representatives to urgently act on the pending legislated wage hike measures: dapat gumawa tayo ng paraan upang ngayon pa lamang ay makaramdam na ng ginhawa ang ating mga manggagawa. Mr. Secretary, there are over a million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila alone and this is the least we can do to help alleviate their struggle in making ends meet,” stated TUCP Party-list and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza.
Based on the train fare matrix of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), a single train ride from Antipolo to Recto costs ₱35 or ₱70 per day for a round trip. For six working days a week, that amounts to ₱1,680 a month.
“With a 50% discount, minimum wage earners can save as much as ₱840 a month or an extra ₱35 take-home pay every day. Bawat pisong natitipid sa pamasahe siguradong diretso yan sa hapag ng pamilya para sa mas masarap at mas malusog na pagkain para sa pamilya,” explained Mendoza.
Starting September, special Beep cards with automatic 50% discount for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will be available on the MRT and LRT lines.
“But why are minimum wage earners left out? Kaya pa nating isama ang ating mga manggagawang Pilipino. Indeed, Mr. Secretary, the last thing we want is for our workers to fall in long lines all the time just to avail of the discount. Sobra na nga ang sakripisyo nila sa trabaho—huwag na nating dagdagan ng paghihirap sa pila. It should be simple: workers can present a certificate of employment, which states their salary, and be given special Beep cards for hassle-free rides to and from work,” added Mendoza.
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