Holy Week goodwill: Less P200 on Yolanda area bus fares

MANILA, Philippines – It’s the least the government could do for families that need to be together on their first Holy Week after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) destroyed their provinces and scarred their lives.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday, April 15, announced that it had directed provincial bus operators to give P200 fare discounts on passengers going to or coming from Leyte and Eastern Samar, the provinces worst hit by November’s killer typhoon.

The discounts will be given on trips starting Wednesday, April 16, and until Monday, April 21. LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez issued the directive upon the request of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino.

On Monday, Tolentino met with 50 provincial bus operators to request them to give a P200 fare discount – around 20% of the regular fare – to every passenger to and from Leyte and Eastern Samar. The bus operators agreed to the request, an MMDA press release said.

“I am grateful to the LTFRB and the provincial bus operators for granting my request. The P200 discount is definitely a big help to all passengers…. This also goes to show that the bus operators are also charitable,” Tolentino said.

“This Lenten season is the best time for Yolanda victims to be with their families, listen closely to their inner feelings and to reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ after the tragedy that befell them,” he said. – Rappler.com