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.”
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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.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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