DOTR, DepEd to roll out 50% MRT, LRT fare discount for students until 2028

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

 

MAKATI CITY, 19 August 2025  — The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the nationwide rollout of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive granting a 50 percent fare discount for students, saying the program will run until 2028 to ease the cost of education-related travel. 

“Patuloy din ang pagpapaganda natin sa serbisyo ng MRT at saka LRT. Ang dating dalawampung porsyentong diskuwento sa LRT at MRT para sa PWD, sa senior, at sa estudyante, ay itinaas na natin sa limampung porsyento na diskuwento,” President Marcos said during the 2025 SONA. 

The initiative, which began in June this year, covers learners in basic and higher education — from kindergarten to graduate school — including Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Special Education (SPED) students. The discount applies every time a student rides the train, with no daily or monthly cap. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the measure, which will continue until 2028, is a direct boost to access and equity in education. 

“Kapag nakakatipid ng pamasahe ang isang pamilya, mas maraming oportunidad para magamit ito para sa mga aklat at educational tool na kailangan nila. Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga estudyante,” Angara said. 

“DepEd will do its part to ensure schools and parents know about this benefit. We want every learner, from Metro Manila to the farthest regions, to feel the government’s support,” he added. 

For its part, the DOTr said all train lines in Metro Manila already honor the 50 percent fare discount. Beyond the capital, Libreng Sakay programs are being piloted in Cebu and Davao, with modern jeepneys and buses deployed in select routes. More routes in both cities are set to launch soon. 

"Hindi lang yung discount ang importante. Ang sabi ng Pangulo, Kailangan yung experience nila hindi sila pinapahirapan. Kung ikaw ay estudyante, pupunta ka sa kahit anong station, papakita mo ang iyong ID at right then and there ipiprint ang inyong student beep card," Sec. Dizon said. 

To avail, students only need to present a valid school ID or enrollment form. Starting September, students can apply for special white Beep cards in train stations, which will automatically apply the discount without the need to line up for single-journey tickets. 

DOTr said student ridership is being tracked through discounted ticket data. A commuter hotline (0920-964-3687) and official social media channels are available for complaints if students are denied access despite eligibility. 

DepEd and DOTr will work together to harmonize guidelines and amplify public awareness. 

“This is a concrete step in making education less of a burden for Filipino families,” Angara said. “Kung mas madali at mas mura ang biyahe papunta sa paaralan, mas marami ang makakapagtapos, mas marami ang magtatagumpay.” 

ChatGPT said:

Here’s a compelling draft for your request:

50% MRT, LRT Fare Discount for Students Until 2028: A Lifeline for Filipino Learners

Makati City, August 19, 2025 — For decades, the daily commute has been one of the silent battles waged by Filipino students. Long lines at train stations, cramped rides in jeepneys, and fares that eat away at already tight family budgets have long made education not just a pursuit of knowledge, but also a test of endurance. Yesterday, however, a glimmer of relief broke through the clamor of the rush hour as the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) officially announced the nationwide rollout of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s 50% fare discount directive for students, a landmark initiative that will last until 2028.

From 20% to 50%: A Bold Leap in Support

The measure, first unveiled during the President’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), doubles the previous discount from 20% to 50%—a bold step meant to ease the cost of education-related travel. Unlike many limited-scope programs, this covers an extensive range of learners: from kindergarten pupils to graduate school students, including those enrolled in Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) and Special Education (SPED) programs.

There is no daily or monthly cap—every single train ride is slashed by half. “Patuloy din ang pagpapaganda natin sa serbisyo ng MRT at saka LRT,” the President emphasized, promising not only cheaper fares but also smoother, student-friendly commutes.

A Breath of Relief for Families

For Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the discount represents far more than just savings.

“Kapag nakakatipid ng pamasahe ang isang pamilya, mas maraming oportunidad para magamit ito para sa mga aklat at educational tool na kailangan nila. Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga estudyante.”

He added that DepEd will roll out a massive information drive, ensuring no student—whether in Metro Manila or in far-flung provinces—misses out on the benefit.

Seamless Access with Student Beep Cards

In partnership with train operators, the DOTr is making sure this isn’t just another bureaucratic hurdle. Starting September, students may apply for special white Beep cards at train stations, which will automatically apply the 50% discount upon tapping. Gone will be the need to queue repeatedly for single-journey tickets.

DOTr Secretary Jerry Dizon explained:

“Hindi lang yung discount ang importante. Ang sabi ng Pangulo, kailangan yung experience nila hindi sila pinapahirapan. Kung ikaw ay estudyante, pupunta ka sa kahit anong station, papakita mo ang iyong ID at right then and there ipiprint ang inyong student beep card.”

Beyond Manila: The Wider Vision

The program extends beyond the country’s capital. In Cebu and Davao, where traffic and urban sprawl mirror Metro Manila’s challenges, the government is piloting Libreng Sakay programs using modern jeepneys and buses. The goal is simple yet profound: expand affordable and accessible mobility for students nationwide.

Guarding Against Abuse and Ensuring Accountability

To protect students from being wrongfully denied, DOTr has set up a commuter hotline (0920-964-3687) and official social media channels for complaints. Ridership data from discounted tickets will also be monitored, ensuring transparency and program integrity.

More Than Just a Discount

At its core, this initiative signals a philosophical shift in how the government views education and mobility. Transportation, long regarded as a peripheral struggle, is now recognized as a decisive factor in academic success. By making every train ride cheaper, the government is placing a bet on the Filipino student—that the money saved on fares will translate into textbooks, internet access, or a simple meal to sustain long study nights.

“This is a concrete step in making education less of a burden for Filipino families,” Angara concluded. “Kung mas madali at mas mura ang biyahe papunta sa paaralan, mas marami ang makakapagtapos, mas marami ang magtatagumpay.”

The Bigger Picture

As the first batches of students tap their discounted Beep cards this September, what they carry with them is not just access to trains but a broader promise: that education in the Philippines should not be derailed by poverty, traffic, or prohibitive transport costs. Until 2028, millions of learners will enjoy this half-fare lifeline—but the true test will be whether this policy lays the groundwork for a future where mobility is never a barrier to learning.   

Spanish Microfiction Finds a New Home in Manila: Lorena Escudero to Lead Groundbreaking Workshops at UP Diliman and Instituto Cervantes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Manila, Philippines – August 2025 — In an age where attention spans shrink and words must work harder than ever to leave a lasting impression, Spanish writer Lorena Escudero is bringing one of literature’s most powerful forms—the art of microfiction—to the Philippines.

On August 27 at the University of the Philippines–Diliman and on August 28 at Instituto Cervantes de Manila (Makati branch), Escudero will lead “Lo bueno, si breve” (The good, if brief), a pair of intensive workshops designed to teach Filipino students and young writers the craft of creating worlds in just a handful of sentences.

The Power of Brevity

Microfiction, or microrrelato, is the art of telling an entire story in its most distilled form—sometimes no longer than a single paragraph, or even a single line. For Escudero, a physicist by training and a writer by passion, the form is not just about conciseness but about precision, intensity, and the subtle magic of suggestion.

Through interactive exercises, she will guide participants in discovering how just a few words can ignite the imagination, leaving gaps that readers instinctively fill with emotion and meaning. It is literature in its most minimalist yet most explosive form—every word charged with significance.

About Lorena Escudero

Born in Soria in 1985, Lorena Escudero represents a rare fusion of science and art. Holding a PhD in Physics and working as a researcher at the University of Cambridge, she has also carved out a luminous career in Spanish literature.

Her published works include:

Negativos (Torremozas, Spain, 2015)

Formulario (La tinta del silencio, Mexico, 2019)

Incisiones (Quarks Ediciones Digitales, Peru, 2021)

Her most recent book, Oxímoron (2023), earned her the Premio Iscariote for best book of microfiction—cementing her place as one of the most compelling voices in this genre.

A Filipino-Spanish Literary Bridge

The workshops are not just standalone events but are part of the VI Certamen Juvenil de Creación Literaria “Rafael Palma” (2025), a youth literary contest honoring the legacy of Rafael Palma, the Filipino writer and intellectual who played a key role in shaping Philippine letters during the Spanish period.

Participants in Escudero’s workshops will be tasked to write their own original micro-stories. Winning entries will find their place in the respected Revista Filipina, alongside recognition from the University of the Philippines and Instituto Cervantes de Manila. Prizes include certificates and a coveted scholarship for a Spanish language course—offering young Filipinos not just inspiration, but opportunity.

Reviving the Spanish Literary Legacy in the Philippines

This initiative is more than a workshop. It is part of a larger movement to reconnect Filipinos with the Spanish language, which, for centuries, was the vessel of the nation’s intellectual, political, and cultural life. By embracing microfiction, Filipino writers are invited to rediscover this heritage in a form uniquely suited for the 21st century—concise, sharp, and globally resonant.

A Collaboration of Cultural Forces

“Lo bueno, si breve” is presented by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID Philippines, the UP Diliman Department of European Languages, Revista Filipina, the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain, the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española, and AFELE – Asociación Filipina de Enseñanza de ELE.

How to Join

Students, aspiring writers, and lovers of Spanish literature are encouraged to register at https://forms.office.com/e/wcpRSGJ3sZ.

For more details about Instituto Cervantes’ cultural program, visit www.manila.cervantes.es or follow Instituto Cervantes Manila on Facebook.

In just two afternoons, Lorena Escudero promises to transform how young Filipinos think about storytelling. In her hands, the smallest story may turn out to be the most unforgettable.

Cayetano Pushes DOH to Lead Philippine Delegation in Global Tobacco Control Summit

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Metro Manila, Philippines – The smoke from last year’s controversial delegation to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has yet to clear, but the Senate is making one thing certain: never again.

In her Chairperson’s Report released on June 30, 2025, Senator Pia Cayetano, Chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, delivered a blunt recommendation: the Department of Health (DOH) must be designated as the official and permanent head of the Philippine delegation to all WHO FCTC Conferences of the Parties (COP).

The move comes after a bruising inquiry into the performance of the Philippines’ 34-person delegation to COP10 in February 2024—a delegation that left the country’s credibility in ashes.

A Delegation in Disgrace

COP, the governing body of the WHO FCTC, convenes every two years to strengthen the world’s only global public health treaty on tobacco control. But in 2024, instead of championing stronger protections for Filipinos, the Philippine delegation reportedly delayed sessions, parroted tobacco industry arguments, and pushed for watered-down measures that weakened global tobacco control efforts.

The result? The Philippines earned yet another “Dirty Ashtray” award—its fifth—an infamous recognition reserved for countries that sabotage tobacco control objectives in favor of industry interests.

Worse, the 2024 team was led not by health authorities but by the Office of the President’s then Senior Deputy Executive Secretary.

DOH as the Logical Leader

Cayetano’s report did not mince words. Agencies like the Department of Education and the Department of Foreign Affairs have already voiced support for DOH leadership. The DOH itself has consistently asserted its readiness, expertise, and mandate to lead.

“The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee agreed with the sensible recommendation to make DOH the permanent head of delegation to WHO FCTC conferences, whether COP or MOP [Meeting of the Parties],” the report stated. “To belabor the point, it is only appropriate for the DOH to lead the Philippines’ team to the world’s only existing public health treaty.”

The next COP, set in Geneva, Switzerland from November 17 to 22, 2025, will be a defining moment for the Philippines. With Health Secretary Ted Herbosa currently presiding over the World Health Assembly, expectations are high that the country should present itself as a model of public health leadership—not a repeat offender.

Public Interest Advocates: “Never Again”

Civil society welcomed the Senate’s firm stand. Public interest law group ImagineLaw underscored the urgency of reform.

“It is a shame that the Philippines has received dirty ashtray awards in the last two COPs. This should serve as a wake-up call to the President,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of ImagineLaw.

“It is only right for DOH to lead the Philippine delegation in future WHO FCTC conferences, because protecting public health should never take a backseat to tobacco industry interests. It would be a shame if the Philippines were to receive another dirty ashtray award in the same year Sec. Ted Herbosa served as President of the World Health Assembly.”

A Legal and Moral Obligation

Under Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, the Philippines is duty-bound to protect tobacco control policies from interference by the tobacco industry. This principle is reinforced domestically by a 2010 joint memorandum circular between the DOH and the Civil Service Commission, explicitly banning partnerships with tobacco companies in shaping health policies.

Yet, despite this obligation, the country’s recent delegations have repeatedly leaned toward the industry, tarnishing the Philippines’ image in the global fight against tobacco.

The Bigger Battle Ahead

For Cayetano, for ImagineLaw, and for countless health advocates, the issue is clear: the delegation to COP11 is more than a question of representation—it is a test of the nation’s integrity.

Will the Philippines continue down a path of international embarrassment, serving as a cautionary tale of industry capture? Or will it reclaim its rightful place among countries committed to protecting public health above all else?

The answer may come this November in Geneva. And this time, the world will be watching.