Nation

SCHOOL CLOSURE COSTS GOV’T P2-T IN LOST REVENUES

UP to P2 trillion worth of revenues were lost when face-to-face classes were suspended due to the pandemic, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said.

/ 4 July 2022

UP to P2 trillion worth of revenues were lost when face-to-face classes were suspended due to the pandemic, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said.

“Dahil diyan ipinag-utos ng Pangulo (Bongbong Marcos) na tulungan ang mga kabataan lalong-lalo na ang mga estudyante na bumalik ang tiwala sa pagpasok sa face-to-face classroom. Dahil diyan nagkaroon ng pagpapasya na gawing libre ang mga pagsakay pansamantala habang pinag-aaralan ang iba pang implikasyon ng mga patakarang ito,” he said.

He projected that the government will collect P12 billion in revenues when in-person classes resume in August this year.

Chavez admitted that Metro Rail Transit-3 lost almost P500 million in revenues after implementing three months of free rides.

“Bakit estudyante lang ang ililibre? Umabot halos ng kalahating bilyon ang nawala sa MRT-3 ginawang libreng sakay noong April, May at Hunyo. Nag-a-average ng P140 million to P160 million buwan-buwan ang nawawala,” he said.

The free ride for students will begin in August and will last until November.