MRT, LRT fare hike to lead to better services: Abaya

Malacañang is again defending the MRT and LRT fare hike and appealing for more patience from the public.

Palace officials maintain the increase, which took effect on Sunday, would mean better services and facilities.

"We need to invest in rails. Every Filipino would dream of a rail system like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore. If we don't invest in it we'll never get there," Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya told ANC on Wednesday.

"One reason why we have an MRT that's overused and overworked because it is so cheap that it is the only option that you would go for," he added.

Two more petitions to stop the MRT and LRT fare hike have been filed before the Supreme Court.

The petitioners say the Department of Transportation and Communications committed grave abuse of discretion in approving the increase and violating the constitutional right to due process of millions of commuters.

It is something Abaya denies.

ANC Dateline Philippines, January 7, 2015