Abaya snubs train fare hike probe

MANILA, Philippines - Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was a no-show yesterday at the House of Representatives inquiry into the fare hikes of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Railway Transit (LRT) lines as lawmakers sought a detailed listing of where the proceeds will go.

Abaya’s absence riled independent and opposition lawmakers, who said it only showed the Aquino administration’s insensitivity to the plight of commuters.

Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, chairman of the committee, said the panel would summon Abaya to the next hearing, as he knows the details of the various agreements between the LRT and MRT and the government.

“He (Abaya) is the only one who can shed light on this all-important issue of the year,” Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said during the hearing.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. clarified that Abaya did not snub the House hearing but only had to attend the meeting in Malacañang on preparations for the visit of Pope Francis on Jan. 15 to 19.

In a press briefing, Coloma said the government was standing firm on the fare increases but was acknowledging those opposed to the decision.

Present during the hearing were Transportation Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, MRT-3 officer-in-charge Renato San Jose and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Honorito Chaneco.

Limcaoco said the fare hikes are needed for the operations and upgrading of equipment.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares sought a more detailed and written explanation on where the proceeds of increases will go as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has repeatedly asked and received allocations in the annual national budget for operations and maintenance of the rail systems.

“You increased the fares without proper public consultations,” Barzaga said.

Teddy Casiño, one of the petitioners against the fare hikes before the Supreme Court, told the panel that the DOTC did conduct public hearings.

He said the public consultations were perfunctory and just meant to show that stakeholders were consulted.

Colmenares said the DOTC sought and was allocated P977.60 million by Congress for the rehabilitation of LRT 1 and 2 in the 2015 national budget.

But the DOTC also sought exactly the same amount in the P22.4-billion supplemental budget that was approved by Congress.

The government also asked for P2.569 billion for the MRT-3 rehabilitation and P957 million for the same purpose in the supplemental budget.

“So where are you going to use this increase for? There is deception and treachery here,” Colmenares said.

Coloma added the protests against the MRT and LRT fares could not be a sign of civil unrest but part of the country’s democratic processes.

“We don’t see any significant physical disturbances. We don’t see disruption in travel time among thousands of those using MRT service. And the expressions of protest, we respect that,” Coloma said.

It is now up to the Supreme Court to make a ruling on the increase in LRT 1 and 2 as well as MRT 3 fares, Malacañang said yesterday as it reiterated all protests against the move were being respected.

In a press briefing, Coloma said the Palace could also understand the lawmakers’ duty to look into the matter in aid of legislation and in pursuit of their oversight functions.

“There is a way to deal with them and those opposing or fighting (the increase) had gone to the Supreme Court. The process in the Supreme Court is now moving. Their petitions have been accepted,” Coloma said.– With Aurea Calica, Marvin Sy