Central Bank tells MRT execs: No coin shortage

No truth to the rumor that there is a coin shortage in Metro Manila. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) refuted yesterday claims of a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) official that the Central Bank is to be blamed for MRT’s failure to provide change in coins to the riding public.

"There is no truth to the statements being made by Mario Miranda, acting general manager of the Metro Star Express, blaming the Bangko Sentral for the inability of MRT tellers to provide change for paper bills paid by the riding public," said Teresita Manigque, director of the BSP cash department.

Miranda was quoted in interviews that the BSP has failed to provide the MRT with its regular supply of coins because of a supposed breakdown in the minting operations of the BSP Security Plant Complex.

Miranda’s pitch ended with the suggestion that the MRT be allowed to increase its fares to avoid having to produce change coins. The entire ride from the North Avenue Terminal in Quezon City to the Taft Terminal in Pasay City costs P15. This apparently is not enough, since it could be recalled that the original fare was supposed to be P34, but was brought down to P22 and again scaled down to P15 to lure the riding public.

Miranda’s claims were also refuted by Nestor Salanio, director of the BSP Mint and Refinery Operations Department. "There is no breakdown at the mint," Salanio said, adding the MRT authorities should stop using the BSP as an excuse.

Also yesterday, the militant Partido ng Manggagawa protested a plan by the MRT to increase its fares because of a shortage of 25-centavo coins, calling it a "train robbery."

"It’s rather insensitive and obnoxious of the MRT management to push for an increase for the simple reason that they do not have 25-centavo coins for change," said Leody De Guzman, a top official of the worker-based party-list group.

Scores of activists staged a noise barrage at the intersection of Aurora Boulevard and the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday.

They also brought with them bags of 25-centavo coins as a symbol of their opposition to the fare hike. They also urged commuters to collect 25-centavo coins and pay the exact amount whenever taking a ride on the MRT, which runs from one end of EDSA to the other. – Rocel Felix, Romel Bagares and Sandy Araneta