President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the indefinite suspension of an across-the-board fare hike that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved for implementation on Thursday (March 19).

In a video statement released to the news media on Wednesday (March 18), Marcos directed the Department of Transportation not to implement the LTFRB decision.

The chief executive ordered an indefinite deferment of the fare hikes.

“I-postponan muna natin ‘yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito, na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter, sa lahat ng ating manggagawa, yung estudyante, lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,” he said.

He said it is not yet time to raise fares that will be detrimental to Filipinos.

In the meantime, Marcos said government will continue to speed up the distribution of fuel subsidies to workers in the public transport industry.

The president also asked the DOTr to implement free rides throughout the country, to further stave off the effects of the unabated increases in fuel prices that are triggered by the raging Middle East war.

He said MRT and LRT fares will also have to be discounted to ensure immediate help to commuters.

Meanwhile, toll fees on expressways will also be discounted.

However, it was disclosed that airfare adjustments will continue to be implemented.