Aquino challenged to hike workers’ pay

Posted By: Chris On:


MANILA, Sept. 8, 2011— Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has challenged President Aquino to increase the salary of workers for supporting the fare hikes for Metro Manila’s three transit railways.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the fare hike for Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit would affect the ordinary workers aside from the increase in government service fees.

“Ang higit na nangangailangan diyan MRT at LRT ay mga mahihirap. Bukod sa dagdag sa pasahe, dapat dagdag din ang sweldo at magkaroon ng hanapbuhay ang mga tao,” Arguelles told Catholic Church-run Radyo Veritas.

“Pwede naman na ang kakulangan sa pasahe ay i-subsidized ng gobyerno. Nakukurakot lang ‘to ng mga mayayaman. Dapat sana ang public service ay public service,” he said.

Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francis de Leon, for his part, said that the poor commuters are the ones that would be affected by the fare hike and the increasing prices of basic commodities.

“Hindi ko alam at nakikita na may pag-ahon sa kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino. Dapat pag-isipan talaga ng pamahalaan kung ano ang dapat gawin, hindi yung patch na lang ng patch, hindi pwede yung ganun, kailangan ng long range planning diyan, noon pa nila sinasabi na magkakaroon ng long range planning pero matagal na akong naghihintay kung ano ang sasabihin nila, hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin naririnig,” he said.

Aquino said the fare increase for LRT and MRT will push through, but assured the public that it will be reasonable.

He said such move is necessary to cut the government subsidy and use instead for other mass transportation projects especially in other provinces. [CBCPNews]

 


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