MANILA (UPDATE) - Transport and progressive groups are going to Malacanang on Monday to ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop the LRT-1 fare hike.

Bayan President Renato Reyes,Jr., Makabayan senatorial candidates Jerome Adonis, Mody Floranda, and Mimi Doringo, as well as Mhing Gomez of Anakbayan and Ernanie Rafael of the PARA commuter group will be asking the Palace to stop the fare increase.

They are also calling on the Department of Transportation to show the basis for the fare increase and junk the railway's privatization contract, which they say is disadvantageous to commuters.

LRT-1 fares are going up by P5 on April 2, Wednesday. Light Rail Manila Coproation (LRMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Enrico Benipayo said there is a need to increase fares due to higher operating costs now, particularly when it comes to electricity. 

LRT-1 fare hike to take effect on April 2

He said LRMC has invested P45 billion since it became the private operator nine years ago.

He also noted that the company has upgraded LRT-1 by replacing the entire rail, improving the stations, adding more trains, and installing CCTV cameras, escalators and elevators in some stations.   

Meanwhile, Malacañang said the government’s hands are tied in stopping a looming fare hike of the LRT.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said suspending the fare hike may violate the government’s contract with the LRMC, referring to a provision of the 2014 Concession Agreement which entitles them the LRMC to a 10.25 percent fare hike every two years.

“Gustuhin man ng administrasyon na ito po hindi muna maituloy pero yan kasi ang nakasaad sa kontrata,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Reyes meanwhile said their group was disappointed by Malacañang’s immediate rejection of their petition against the fare hike.

“We have yet to file the memorandum on appeal vs the LRT fare hike when we saw in the news that our appeal has already been rejected. Where is the due process on that?” Reyes said in a statement.