Transport group to press for P15 minimum fare amid fuel price hikes

A transport group will press the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to release a decision on its petition increasing the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys to P15.

According to Unang Balita’s report on Wednesday, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) lamented the recent price big-time hike on fuel products.

ALTODAP president Boy Vargas said the LTFRB told the group that the petition is already subject for resolution but the agency has yet to issue a decision.

The current minimum fare for traditional jeepneys is P13.

LTFRB spokesperson Celine Pialago vowed that the agency will respond to the petitions and pointed out that all petitions undergo a thorough study.

“Lahat po ng fare hike, lagi pong pinapaalala ng LTFRB, na pinag-aaralan ito at sinusuri ng board. Makakaasa sila na makakatugon po dito ang LTFRB pero dadaan po ito ng napakamasusing pag-aaral at approval,” Pialago told Unang Balita in an interview.

(All fare hikes are studied and reviewed by the Board. Rest assured that the LTFRB will respond to this, but it will go through a very thorough study and approval.)

“But we will get back po yung mga ating kaibigang tsuper regarding this (But we will get back to our jeepney drivers regarding this)," she added.

Fuel companies increased prices this week — P1.10/liter for gasoline, P1.55/liter for diesel, and P1.40/liter for kerosene.

The LTFRB earlier said it is waiting for word from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) regarding the P1.6-billion fund for subsidies in the public transportation sector in the wake of recent fuel price increases.

The Department of Energy as early as March certified that the subsidy program should take effect after the price of crude oil breached $80 per barrel.

Operators and drivers of modern jeepneys are entitled to P10,000 worth of fuel subsidy under the program. Operators of buses, mini buses, school buses, taxis, and traditional jeepneys, on the other hand, are entitled to P6,500. 

Delivery riders are given a P1,200 fuel subsidy while tricycle drivers are provided with P1,000.

“Yung fuel subsidy, holistic approach ito, together with the [Department of the Interior and Local Government] and DOTr. As soon as ready na po ang pondo, we will release it po,” Pialago said.

(The distribution of fuel subsidy is a holistic approach together with the [Department of the Interior and Local Government] and DOTr. As soon as the fund is ready, we will release it.)

—Joviland Rita/KBK/ VAL, GMA Integrated News