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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
March 19, 2026 | 12:01pm
Commuters enter the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 in Taft Avenue station last May 2022
The STAR / Jesse Bustos, File
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is implementing a 50% discount for all passengers of the MRT-3 and LRT-2 amid soaring fuel prices caused by the Israel-Iran war.
The discount comes shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended a fare hike for most modes of land transportation, vowing alternate measures instead—including discounted train rates.
In a statement on Thursday, March 19, the DOTr said that the discount will be implemented for all passengers.
"Ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat para maibsan ang paghihirap ng mga Pilipino sa gitna ng gulo sa Middle East. Prayoridad natin ang tuloy-tuloy na biyahe at mas murang pamasahe kaya magbibigay tayo ng 50% discount sa MRT-3 at LRT-2 para sa lahat," said DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in a statement.
(The government is doing everything to lessen the struggle of the Filipino people amid the Middle East tensions. Our priority is the continued commute and affordable fares so we will give a 50% discount for the MRT-3 and LRT-2 for all.)
The DOTr said that the discounted rates for white card holders (senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities) are still in effect. Their discount remains at 50%.
The discount will be implemented until further notice, said the DOTr.
The LRT-2 and the MRT-3 are wholly owned and operated by the government, while the LRT-1 is privately owned by the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).
Discussions are ongoing with the LRMC about a possible discount for the LRT-1 as well.
Fuel prices have surged to triple digits across gas stations in the country, with many fearing that inflation will soon increase as well.
Despite this, the war between Iran and Israel has shown little sign of stopping, especially with the United States also carrying out strikes against Tehran.
