High fuel prices ground majority of PUV drivers at Cabanatuan terminal

More than half of the public transport drivers at a terminal in Cabanatuan City stopped plying their routes due to high fuel prices.

In Cedric Castillo’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, passengers formed long queues at the Cabanatual Central Transport Terminal waiting for rides as some 60 to 70 percent of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers stayed home instead.

“Napipilitan na lang po [bumiyahe], wala pong bibiyahe eh. Habang bakante po, ako po pangalawang [biyahe] ko na po ito,” said jeepney driver Rolly Belmonte, who still had to reduce the number of trips he took.

(I'm just forced to do it, because nobody's going out. While it's vacant, this is my second trip.)

The management of the terminal held meetings with leaders of various transport groups to resolve the issue.

“Ang inyong lingkod ay nakiusap po sa mga opisyal ng iba’t ibang transportation dito sa Nueva Ecija na sana naman po huwag nilang itigil yung kanilang pamamasada para maserbisyuhan po yung kanilang mga mananakay,” Nelson Santos, manager of the North Central Luzon Terminal, said.

(We asked the officials of various transportation groups here in Nueva Ecija that they must not stop their trips to provide service for their passengers.)

Some drivers of jeepney and minibuses have also stopped plying routes in Bataan.

“Masyadong mahal yung diesel pagkatapos yung pasahero konti lang yung sasakay, hindi pa normal yung pasada,” jeepney driver Reynaldo Reyes said.

(The diesel is too expensive, and there are only a few passengers. It is not yet back to normal.)

PUV drivers in other places have also been forced off the roads by higher fuel costs, with some turning to other jobs in the meantime to make ends meet.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said its regional offices are ready if drivers decide to implement a “transport holiday.”

“We will call on our regional directors po to filled the necessary augmentation units. Part of the contingency measure is to provide the rescue buses,” LTFRB executive director Ma. Kristina Cassion said.

Meanwhile, several taxi drivers were also struggling due to the oil price hike.

“Maganda dati kasi kahit papaano makaka-P1,000 mahigit sa isang araw. Ngayon, wala na eh. Swerte na ang maka-P500,” taxi driver Jericho Marasigan said.

(I used to earn at least P1,000 a day. But now, I am lucky if I can make P500 a day.)

The Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA) earlier appealed to increase the P40 flagdown rate for taxis.

“Gusto sanang hilingin ng hanay ng mga taxi is a temporary additional P20 sa flagdown rate, para wala munang calibration ng meter at agarang maipatupad dahil talagang kailangan na kailangan na ito,” Representative Bong Suntay, president of PNTOA, said.

(We would like to ask for a temporary additional P20 to the flagdown rate, so that there is no calibration of the meter and this must be implemented immediately because it is really needed.)

The LTFRB said it has not yet received the petition from the group.

“Kailangan din natin balansehin yung kakayahan ng mga commuters na magbayad ng P60 flagdown,” Cassion said. 

(We also need to balance the ability of commuters to pay the P60 flagdown.) — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News