In February, when President Bongbong Marcos told newly appointed Department of Transportation head Vince Dizon to “make life easier for commuters,” it was natural for people to sneer and treat the statement as made-for-PR rhetoric. Politics, one might say.

But yesterday (June 1), the president backed up his order to his transport chief by announcing the “Pamilya 1+3” treat for MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2 passengers. With this present, all commuters using the three railway transit services can bring three family members and just pay for one ticket every Sunday until June 2028.

The exact words were:

Linggo ay para sa pamilya.

Simula ngayon, may “Pamilya Pass 1+3” na sa MRT-3, LRT-1, at LRT-2. Bumili lang ng isang ticket, at libre na ang hanggang tatlong kasama mo tuwing Linggo, hanggang Hunyo 2028. Walang ID na kailangan basta’t sabay-sabay kayong sasakay!

Dahil ang biyahe, kapag kasama ang pamilya, ay mas magaan, mas masaya at dapat abot-kaya.

Transport secretary Dizon recently submitted his courtesy resignation after the president declared a need for a “bold reset” for the government.

Dizon remains popular among Filipinos for his active participation in different issues affecting road usage. We faced him two weeks ago in a “consultative meeting,” where he said that “road safety is important to the president.”

So…family Sunday strolls, anyone?