THE TRADE Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Monday urged the government to include minimum wage earners in the 50% discount in Metro Manila’s railways.
“There are over a million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila alone and this is the least we can do to help alleviate their struggle in making ends meet,” TUCP Party-list Rep. and Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza said in a statement.
Mr. Mendoza had called on the Transportation department, noting that minimum wage earners can save up to P840 a month or an extra P35 take-home pay every day, with the 50% discount.
He had also questioned why minimum wage earners were left out of the discounted train fares.
“The last thing we want is for our workers to fall in long lines all the time just to avail of the discount. They have sacrificed too much for their jobs — let’s not add to the misery of the queue,” he added.
Mr. Mendoza proposed that workers only show their certificate of employment that states their salaries to be given the discounts.
The Department of Transportation earlier launched a 50% fare discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities for LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 — extending a similar benefit earlier granted to students in June. — Adrian H. Halili
