MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday blamed the previously cheaper fares of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit (MRT-LRT) for the deterioration of the train systems' condition.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the MRT-LRT systems are facing maintenance and operational problems because of their low incomes and the number of passengers that have exceeded the trains' capacities.
"Kung tatanungin natin ang mga eksperto, isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit sumobra 'yung patronage diyan ay hindi maayos 'yung fare structure natin sa iba't ibang alternative modes of public transportation," Coloma said in a press briefing.
"Masyadong naging mura, comparatively speaking, ‘yung singil sa MRT-LRT na way below the cost that is needed na para ma-maintine ito," he added.
This is why the government raised the train fares last January despite strong public opposition.
"Ginawa ng administrasyon 'yung nararapat, 'yung ipinatupad 'yung dapat na maging fare structure," Coloma said.
"Iyan naman ang sinasaad sa ating Philippine Development Plan, na 'yung mga users ng serbisyo ang siyang dapat na magbayad ng nararapat na halaga," he continued.
The Aquino government had stood firm on the fare hike, claiming that the government subsidies to be saved because of the fare increase could be used for other projects outside of Metro Manila.