Transport & Communications

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), formalizing an interagency partnership aimed at enhancing competition and regulatory coordination within the country’s data transmission industry.

DOTr to begin distribution of discounted Beep Cards at all Metro Manila rail stations Transport/Comms The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Friday that starting Saturday, personnel will be deployed across all 51 rail stations in Metro Manila to begin the distribution of discounted Beep cards for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). DOTr acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed the rollout in a live televised address, saying that the initiative covers all stations on MRT-3 (13 stations), LRT-1 (25 stations), and LRT-2 (13 stations). “We will be in all 51 rail stations tomorrow, Saturday, to begin the distribution of Beep cards for eligible commuters,” Lopez said. The discounted Beep cards offer a 50 percent fare discount for students and qualified users commuting along the three major urban rail lines. Lopez emphasized that the agency opted to launch the distribution over the weekend to ensure that students have access to the cards before classes resume on Monday. Originally slated for earlier release, the cards were delayed due to late delivery of printing equipment required to issue them. However, Lopez noted that with the printers now ready for deployment, the application process has also been streamlined, with fewer documentary requirements needed to obtain a card. In parallel with this initiative, the DOTr has also begun distributing 300,000 additional standard Beep cards to address an ongoing shortage of the RFID-enabled stored-value cards used widely across the Metro Manila rail network. The Beep card system is widely used to ease commuter access across various modes of public transport, providing a cashless, efficient means of travel.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has fast-tracked the construction of the Manila-Laguna segment of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to expedite key infrastructure projects. Demolition of old Philippine National Railways (PNR) stations from Sta. Mesa in Manila to Cabuyao, Laguna is being conducted simultaneously to accelerate viaduct construction.

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on Thursday that it will increase its domestic flight operations starting October, in preparation for the anticipated surge in travel demand during the peak season. The airline will operate 1,154 domestic flights weekly, marking a 7 percent increase in flights and adding over 14,000 seats to its network out of Manila.

PLDT Global Corp., the international arm of the PLDT Group, has partnered with BBIX, Inc., a leading Internet Exchange (IX) provider in Asia, to launch a remote peering service in the Philippines. The initiative aims to enhance global connectivity and position the country as a strategic digital hub in the region.