Giving importance to spending quality time with loved ones, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday spearheaded the launching of Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and LRT-2, where one ticket is good for four passengers.

Speaking at the launch held at the GMA-Kamuning MRT-3 station, President Marcos emphasized that the initiative aims to encourage families and friends to spend quality time together on Sundays, which he described as a cherished family day for many Filipinos.

“As you can see, we have come today to help inaugurate this new promotional program for our public transport system. Alam niyo kasi ang kultura ng Pilipino ang Linggo para sa pamilya ‘yan. Para sa mga mahal sa buhay na magsama, na makapag-bonding nang kaunti,” the President said.

“Kaya ginawa namin ay gumawa kami ng programa tinatawag na 1+3 program. Ibig sabihin ‘pag Linggo basta’t bibili ka ng isang ticket, plus three ang puwede mong isakay. Ibig sabihin sa isang ticket, apat ang puwedeng sumakay,” the President added.

Under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) program, passengers who purchase one ticket will receive three free tickets, helping to reduce travel expenses for families, friends, and groups traveling together.

Earlier, President Marcos instructed Cabinet members and agency heads to focus on government projects that address the daily needs of Filipinos.

“Para naman mabigyan natin ang pagkakataon yung ating mga pamilya, mga magkabarkada na magkasama,” the President noted.

President Marcos even joked that since they are a family of five, his eldest son, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, had to buy his own ticket.

“Pero kami lumagpas kami doon sa 1+3 kaya si Congressman Sandro nagbayad ng sarili niyang ticket,” President Marcos quipped.

“Sana naman ay mabigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan na maramdaman nila ‘yung Linggo. Kasi alam naman namin napakahirap ng oras ng commuter,” President Marcos said before boarding the MRT train north bound with First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos and their children Rep. Sandro, Joseph Simon, and William Vincent.

Other government officials, led by DOTr Secretary Vivencio Dizon, joined the President and his family in taking the elevated train.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz also joined the First Family.

They alighted at the North Avenue station. | PND

Commuters at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) GMA-Kamuning station in Quezon City cheered President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the First Family while boarding the train on Sunday.

President Marcos was at that MRT-3 GMA-Kamuning station to spearhead the launch of Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo on the MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 and LRT-2. The President emphasized the importance of spending quality time with loved ones.

Under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) program, passengers who purchase one ticket will receive three free tickets, helping to reduce travel expenses for families, friends, and groups traveling together.

During the launch, President Marcos himself inserted the beep card into the MRT turnstile.

At the same time, First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, their children, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Joseph Simon, and William Vincent used the gate for the promo.

Chanting “BBM BBM BBM!” the crowd greeted the President, the First Lady and their children in launching the Pamilya Pass 1+3 promo at the GMA-Kamuning station.

The First Family, assisted by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio Dizon and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz, arrived at the station just before lunchtime.

Upon his arrival at the station, President Marcos first inspected the facility before the First Family went through the usual security checks at the MRT station. The President then personally lined up to purchase the tickets for his family at the ticket booth.

The First Family then went through the turnstiles of the MRT station, going through all the necessary procedures upon entering and before boarding the northbound train.

Before taking the train, President Marcos took time to explain to commuters and the media the mechanics of the DOTr projects’ 1+3 promo program as well as other concerns.

As he was about to enter the train’s coach, the President greeted the commuters, shaking their hands and having selfies with them.

A passenger, Alexander Sebulino, 71, with three children from Commonwealth, Quezon City, praised President Marcos for his administration’s help in lessening the cost of commuting.

“Napakalaking pasasalamat ko po sa Presidente. Malaking katipiran po yan!” Sebulino told the Presidential News Desk (PND) in an interview.

Another passenger, Editha Albroguera, 55, with five children, from Quezon City, also thanked President Marcos for the effort to reduce travel costs.

Albroguera told the PND that the DOTr project would help reduce their family’s expenses, as they travel every Sunday from Quezon City to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City, then to Baclaran to attend mass.

Another passenger, a government employee from Manila who rides the LRT and MRT-3 lines almost every day, also thanked the President for the program.

“Malaking tulong po yun sa amin tuwing Linggo, para sa aming pamilya,” said the passenger. | PND

Out of concern for the commuting public, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday ordered the suspension of the upcoming EDSA major rehabilitation for a month to better prepare mitigating measures for the expected traffic congestion on the thoroughfare.

President Marcos issued the directive as he listened to the concerns expressed by commuters about their longer travel time during the EDSA rehabilitation, which is expected to last for about two years.

EDSA is a 23.8-kilometer stretch from Pasay City in the southern part of Metro Manila to Caloocan City in the northern part.

“Doon sa pinaplanong EDSA rehabilitation, ang daming bumalik na nag-aalala papaano ‘yung trabaho namin? Eh kung ang pag-commute namin ay napakatagal na, madadagdagan pa ng isang oras, dalawang oras, wala na talaga, hindi na kami uuwi,” the President said during the launch of the Pamilya Pass 1+3 Promo at the MRT-3 GMA-Kamuning Station along EDSA in Quezon City.

“Kaya in-instruction-an ko si Secretary Vince Dizon at saka si Secretary Manny Bonoan ng DPWH ay sinabi ko, ‘Pause muna doon sa rehabilitation. Huwag muna nating gagawin’,” President Marcos said.

Pedestrians currently endure daily traffic jams on EDSA and other parts of Metro Manila, even before the rehabilitation works start, which will close certain lanes.

The government is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of rehabilitating EDSA for the long term, considering the short-term impact on traffic congestion.

“Ngunit ang laking sakripisyo ng dalawang taon na masyadong mabigat, masyadong mahigpit ang traffic. Kaya pause na muna ‘yan at sabi ko sa kanila, bigyan natin ang sarili natin ng isang buwan,” the President said.

The President noted that new technologies not previously considered during the planning may significantly reduce the time required to complete the EDSA rehabilitation project.

“Pero sa ngayon, maliwanag na maliwanag na napakarami ang mahihirapan pagka itinuloy natin ‘yung EDSA rehabilitation. In other words, ang sinasabi ko, we will find a better way na hindi masyadong mahirap para sa ating mga commuter,” President Marcos stressed. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday gave a rousing salute to the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team for its flawless 6–0 sweep and gold medal finish at the Under-16 SEABA Qualifiers, which he said is clear proof of young Filipinos’ unmatched talent and drive.

In a post on X after the team victory, President Marcos congratulated the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team, led by veteran LA Tenorio as Gilas Youth head coach.

“Isang malaking saludo sa Gilas Pilipinas Youth!,” the President posted with an icon of a ball and a Philippine flag.

“Congratulations on your dominant 6–0 run and the gold medal at the U-16 SEABA Qualifiers. Isang malinaw na patunay na ang galing at determinasyon ng kabataang Pilipino ay walang kapantay,” President Marcos added.

The President vowed the government’s full support for the team for their next competitions.

“Suportado namin kayo sa inyong susunod na laban sa FIBA Asia Cup!” President Marcos added, with icons of hands clapping and a trophy.

The Philippines, along with Indonesia and Malaysia, will represent Southeast Asia in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia this July.

The Philippines’ youth national basketball team went unbeaten in all six games, capped by a commanding 70-40 win against Indonesia at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga, on Friday night to clinch the championship. | PND

Spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, the much-anticipated LIKHA 4 takes center stage to highlight Filipino creativity, craftsmanship and culture.

The event will take place from June 6 to 8, 2025 at Foro de Intramuros along Anda Street in Intramuros, a key highlight of this year’s Independence Day celebration.

Now on its fourth edition, LIKHA—short for “Likhaing Filipino”—serves as a vibrant platform which assembles the country’s finest artisans, local designers, and heritage advocates.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving indigenous culture and traditions as rapid technological advances continue.

This year’s edition brings together 30 new artisans alongside returning LIKHA graduates and seasoned designers. This year’s group offers a rich blend of traditional skills and contemporary innovations.

LIKHA is more than just a showcase; it’s a movement to empower local artisans and preserve Filipino heritage. This initiative hopes to inspire appreciation for the ingenuity and resilience of Filipino creativity.

Held over three days, LIKHA 4 is open to the public. It invites everyone to engage with the creative process, witness live demonstrations, and purchase locally made, heritage-rich products.

No pre-registration required. Walk-ins are allowed.

Visitors are also encouraged to interact with artisans and participate in meaningful cultural exchanges that foster the future of Philippine arts.

As a space for collaboration, LIKHA fosters growth and mentorship—connecting master craftsmen with emerging talents, and promoting sustainability in the local creative economy.

As a platform, LIKHA remains a hub where stories, techniques, and traditions are passed down to future generations.

LIKHA 4 invites Filipinos to proudly support homegrown talent and help protect the legacy of Filipino craftsmanship for years to come by celebrating Independence Day through creativity, collaboration and culture. | PND

To continually provide better service in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will deploy K-9 teams in LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 to improve the convenience and safety of passengers.

During a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said having the K-9 dogs in the train stations will minimize the need for passengers to undergo prior screening, which adds to the travel time.

At the same time, the K-9 dogs will maintain security in the public transport system.

Dizon said he personally inspected a K-9 training academy in Clark, Pampanga, since their trained dogs will be deployed first to the MRT-3 stations and eventually to the LRT-1 and LRT-2 stations.

“Iyong K9 sniffing dogs, very important intervention iyon,” Dizon said in a press briefing.

Dizon said he personally experienced the reduced queuing time when the screening devices were removed.

“Ako mismo naramdaman ko kasi ako nung unang nag-MRT ako nung March sa Taft station ako sumakay at roughly about 6 A.M., 30-plus minutes akong pumila noon. Pero ngayon because of the interventions that have been done… noong tinanggal na iyong x-ray, dumami iyong tren, mga 5 or 7 minutes lang ang nagging pila ko. Nagulat talaga ako eh, kahit ako,” he said.

“So, that really is a sea-change for our people on a daily basis para sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.

Following President Marcos’ focus on improving public service, Dizon said the DOTr will continue to exert efforts to help reduce travel time for passengers.

“Kung puwede pa nating pabilisin iyan, kung puwede pa nating mawala na totally ang pilang iyan, iyon po ang gagawin natin,” he said. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent order for Cabinet members and all heads of agencies to submit their courtesy resignation showed his leadership’s defining traits.

According to Executive Secretary and former Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, the ongoing extensive performance review revealed the President’s decisiveness to address issues as well as sensitivity to public sentiment.

“The President is very patient… What we expect from him is his true self, showing off his true personality,” Bersamin said in a press briefing announcing the second tranche of courtesy resignations accepted by the President.

“He is very decisive, I will just tell you that. He is very decisive about things. He is very focused. And based on my working with him closely in the past three years, nearly three years na, he will never back down from any controversy. He confronts the controversy, not the person,” added the former Chief Justice.

Acknowledging that the performance review was prompted by the results of the May 12 midterm elections, Bersamin said the President is very sensitive to public needs and expectations and wants his officials to deliver better service for the people and the country.

“This is his response to what he probably observed during the elections, that we must deliver more. So, he is undergoing this performance check on all of us in the Cabinet, as well as in the positions of leadership in the agencies and offices,” Bersamin stressed. | PND

Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s orders to prioritize the welfare of passengers, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday reminded bus companies they only have 30 days left to ensure passenger-friendly terminals or else face sanctions.

President Marcos had instructed the DOTr and concerned agencies to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers.

“They have, I think, 30 more days to comply. At kapag hindi sila nag-comply, sabi po natin sa kanila ay pasensiyahan po tayo,” Dizon said in a Palace press briefing.

“Ipapasara po natin iyong mga terminals na iyon at baka may iba pang sanctions na i-impose doon sa mga bus companies na iyon,” he added.

Dizon said he will lead DOTr officials in inspecting the bus terminals after the deadline expires.

Following the President’s directive last month to see to the convenience of passengers during the Holy Week season, Dizon himself inspected bus terminals and found a handful of them did not even have the minimum required facilities for passengers.

Dizon admitted he was annoyed by a makeshift terminal in Pasay City and quickly ordered its closure.

“Medyo ikinagalit natin nang kaunti iyon. Sarado na po ito. This has already been closed. Hindi na po iyan nagagamit. Ipinagbawal na po ng LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) iyan na gamitin and today, it is closed,” Dizon said.

The DOTr said bus terminals must have restrooms, communication facilities, priority lanes for senior citizens and persons with disability, land transport security plan, resting area with adequate ventilation and lighting, online ticketing, and dispatching facilities for passengers. | PND

In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize airport facilities and improve travel experience for Filipinos and international visitors, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said additional electronic immigration gates (e-gates) will be installed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before the end of the year.

In a Palace press briefing on Friday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency will continue efforts to reduce long queues at immigration counters especially during peak travel seasons.

He said the DOTr will sustain and expand on the improvements made since the successful partnership with the Bureau of Immigration during the Holy Week season, that significantly reduced passenger waiting times at NAIA’s international departure area.

“Noong nakipagtulungan po tayo sa Bureau of Immigration bago mag-Holy Week, nakita po talaga natin iyong diperensiya na kaya talaga nating paigsiin ang pila sa NAIA, sa immigration,” Dizon said.

“Magbibigay po ng donation ang San Miguel Corporation at tingin ko po within the year, bago mag-Pasko eh magdadagdag tayo ng e-gates sa NAIA – lalo pang mawawala ang pila sa immigration sa NAIA alinsunod na rin sa utos ng Pangulo,” Dizon also said.

Dizon shared a video taken in NAIA last April 10, showing a notably smoother flow of passengers during the early morning rush hour, which is a typically congested period for international departures.

This proves the government’s capacity to improve travel systems with better coordination and technology, he said.

Dizon said the additional e-gates are scheduled for deployment before Christmas 2025, ensuring smoother immigration clearance ahead of the year-end travel surge.

The e-gates use biometric verification to automate immigration checks, significantly speeding up passenger processing while maintaining border security standards.

E-gates are already in use in many advanced international airports. | PND

To provide better service to the commuting public, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has started removing poorly designed signages across MRT-3 stations and replacing them with wayfinding systems aligned with international standards.

The DOTr’s move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to elevate the quality, safety, and efficiency of public transport systems across the country.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the department has begun removing unauthorized and poorly designed signages that do not meet quality and accessibility standards.

The removal of signages started at the Shaw Boulevard Station where DOTr teams dismantled substandard signages earlier this week.

“May global standards ang signages sa mga public facilities na kailangang sundin,” he said.

“In fact, mayroong mga specialty groups or consultants that really that’s all they do. And the colors, the font, where they are printed, lahat iyan ay pinag-aaralan. So, iyon ang ginagawa natin ngayon,” Dizon said.

The DOTr is now working on a full redesign of signage and wayfinding materials for MRT-3 and other rail systems.

These new signs will follow international design and accessibility standards, taking into account factors such as font readability, color schemes, placement, and consistency, to ensure clarity for all commuters, especially persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The updated signage system will be rolled out in MRT-3 and later expanded to other rail lines.

All temporary or outdated signs will be replaced once the finalized designs are approved and produced.

“Ipapabago natin iyan at gagawa po tayo ng tamang standards at tamang signages,” Dizon said.

Dizon also confirmed the review will extend to other visual elements surrounding MRT stations, including advertisements mounted on posts and station exteriors. | PND