Marcos okay with PPP scheme to improve LRT, MRT ops — Dizon

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has agreed to the planned Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme for LRT-2 and MRT, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). 

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday.

''Opo, mayroon na po,'' Dizon said when asked if this matter has a go signal from the President.

''Alam ninyo naman, ang PPP (Public-Private Partnership) ay isa sa mga napaka-importanteng programa ng ating Pangulo, talagang gusto niyang ma-PPP ang mga infrastructure facilities natin, lalo na iyong operations and maintenance dahil nga naniniwala siya at naniniwala tayo na ang idudulot nito ay mas magandang serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,'' he added. 

(You know the PPP is among the most important programs of the President, he wants PPP for our infrastructure facilities, especially the operations and maintenance, because this will bring good service to the public.) 

Dizon emphasized that the PPP scheme is for the improvement of operations of the LRT-2. 

Dizon said that as for the LRT-2, the government is being aided by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank so that PPP will be hastened. 

On the other hand, a similar PPP is being planned for MRT-3 with the Asian Development Bank, according to Dizon. 

He also said that it does not mean fares would be higher because of the PPP as the government will regulate the fees.

''Makakaasa pa rin ang mga kababayan natin na hindi naman ganoon magiging kataas ang magiging pamasahe kahit na maging private na ang operator nitong mga train system na ito,'' Dizon said. 

(It is guaranteed that our kababayans will not be burdened with higher fees, even the operators will come from the private sector.)  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News