Free rides on MRT-3, LRT on April 30 to May 3 - Marcos

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government is offering free rides to workers for four days to mark Labor Day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself personally announced by video on Tuesday, April 26.

The privately operated Light Rail Transit (LRT-1) and the government-run LRT-2 and Metro Rail Transit 3 will waive fares on April 30 to May 3 throughout the day.

“Ito ay bilang kaunting pagkilala sa sakripisyo at kontribusyon ng ating mga manggagawa hindi lamang sa ating ekonomiya kung hindi sa ating lipunan,” Marcos said.

[Translation: This is a small token in recognition of the sacrifice and contribution of our workers, not only to our economy but also to our society.]

This is the first time that the government is waiving the already-subsidized train fares for an extended period for reasons outside maintenance work. The free rides on three train systems would require government spending to cover revenue loss for four days of operations.

NewsWatch Plus also sought comment from LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corporation.

The announcement follows a cheap rice subsidy plan to be rolled out initially in the Visayas weeks before the midterm elections, which was cleared by the Commission on Elections, and the president’s declining trust and performance ratings.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report