Pamasahe Freeze Muna: Marcos Stops PUV Fare Hike Amid Oil Pain

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of planned fare hikes for public utility vehicles, saying now is not the right time to make commuters pay more. The directive came as many Filipinos are already feeling the pressure of higher fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

In a video message, Marcos said workers and students should not have to carry another burden habang alanganin ang situation abroad. He said he told the Department of Transportation to defer the approved fare increases instead of pushing them through immediately.

The President noted that the fare adjustments announced by transport regulators would have covered several land transport modes. He said commuters are already dealing with the ripple effects of more expensive fuel and basic goods, so government support needs to stay in place rather than shrink.

Marcos also said transport workers should not panic because relief measures are being prepared for them too. He ordered the rollout of free rides nationwide, discounted fares on MRT and LRT lines, and toll discounts for motorists as part of a wider response package.

At the same time, he assured the public that the government is working on more ways to cushion daily life from the crisis. The message from Malacañang was simple: tulong muna before dagdag-gastos, especially while the international situation remains unstable.

Source: Philippine News Agency