The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomed the initiative of the Marcos administration to increase the fare discounts of senior citizens and persons with disabilities from the statutory discount of 20 percent to 50 percent in the three elevated railway lines in Metro Manila.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr said on Wednesday (July 16) around 13 million senior citizens and 7 million persons with disabilities are expected to benefit from the fare discount in the Light Rail Transit (LRT) -1, LRT-2, and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) – 3 until the year 2028.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD’s spokesperson, lauded the initiative saying this will surely help ease the burden of vulnerable sectors who are the main clientele of the agency.
“Batid po natin na maraming ginagastos ang ating mga senior citizens and persons with disabilities dahil sa kanilang karagdagang medikal na pangangailangan. Kung kaya, kami sa DSWD ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa Pangulong Marcos Jr., at sa Department of Transportation (DOTr) dahil malaking tulong ang dagdag diskwento na ito para matulungan natin na mapagaan ang pinansyal na pangangailangan ng ating mga bulnerableng mamamayan,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Earlier, the DSWD lauded the provision of free rides at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 to all persons with disabilities from July 17-23 in observance of this year’s National Disability Rights Week (NDRW).
The free transportation service was made possible through the collaboration of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the DSWD.
Under the Proclamation No. 597 signed in June 2024, the DSWD, through the NCDA, is directed to lead, supervise, and coordinate the observance of the NDRW nationwide.
The provision of free services greatly helps the persons with disabilities who regularly travel using public transportation to and from work and school.
According to the NCDA, the free rides will be from 7:00am-9:00am and 5:00pm-7:00pm on July 17-23. The persons with disabilities only need to show their PWD IDs to be able to enjoy the free ride. (AKDL).