Starting noon on Friday, rides on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and both Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines are free of charge, following an order from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.
The move comes after the suspension of classes in several areas due to heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across Metro Manila. The DOTr encouraged the public, especially students and workers, to take advantage of the free train services.
As of 1:07 p.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported that flooding in some areas has subsided, including the EDSA Shaw Tunnel, Ortigas La Salle Gate 6, and EDSA Roxas northbound. However, several roads remain impassable, such as Buendia World Trade Center (waist-deep, not passable), Roxas Boulevard-Kalaw (tire-deep, not passable to most vehicles), and Ospital ng Maynila area (half-tire deep, not passable to light vehicles).
Other areas, including Taft Avenue, Pedro Gil, Quirino Avenue, and parts of Roxas Boulevard, are experiencing gutter-deep flooding but remain passable to all types of vehicles. Motorists are advised to avoid heavily flooded areas and exercise caution while traveling.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed the implementation of 50-percent fare discounts for students on the MRT and LRT, calling it a significant step in easing the financial burden on families.
“Ang mas murang pamasahe sa MRT at LRT ay ginhawa sa bulsa ng mga pamilya na nagsusumikap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang kanilang mga anak. Magagamit pa ng estudyante ang matitipid niya sa iba pang gastusin gaya ng libro at iba pang pangangailangan sa pag-aaral,” Romualdez said.
He praised President Marcos for linking education reform with cost-saving measures and assured that the House of Representatives would continue supporting legislation and the proposed PHP6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.