₱4-BILLION LRT-1 DEBT SPARKS URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION TO RETAIN MVP

The government is rushing to pay up to ₱4 billion in overdue obligations to Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) to maintain Metro Pacific’s confidence in LRT-1 operations.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the plan is to pay an additional ₱500 million before year-end, after only ₱500 million of the debt has been settled in the past decade.

Metro Pacific is considering selling its 38.5 percent stake in LRMC due to mounting losses, partly caused by the government’s repeated rejection of fare hike petitions.

The fare deficit currently stands at ₱2.17 billion, and LRT-1 ridership has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Lopez emphasized that any potential sale would require government consent and a review of the new operator’s capacity, while reaffirming that public-private partnership contracts must balance profit with public service.

Source: PhilNews24 | November 23, 2025