Cebu not covered by fare hike

CEBU, Philippines — Commuters in Cebu and the rest of Central Visayas can heave a sigh of relief because the P10 minimum fare for jeepneys recently approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board does not cover Cebu and the rest of the region.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra and LTFRB-7 Director Eduardo Montealto clarified that the order applies only to Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4 (Southern Tagalog) and the National Capital Region.

"Walay labot ang Central Visayas," said Delgra of their recent order.

The LTFRB approved an across-the-board increase in bus fares and public utility jeepneys for Metro Manila. A provisional P1 hike in bus fares for the first five kilometers was granted. Bus commuters will be charged another 15 centavos for every succeeding kilometer.  

The new round of hike brings the minimum fare to P11 from P10 for buses operating in Metro Manila and to P13 from P12 for provincial buses. Jeepney operators and transport groups sought the fare increase due to higher fuel prices, Delgra said.

Inflation hit a new nine-year high of 6.7 percent in September, amid food supply problems, a weak currency, and surge in price of oil in the international market, which translated to higher local pump prices.

Year-to-date, gasoline price jumped P10.55/liter, while prices of diesel and kerosene increased P11.50/liter and P10.50/liter, respectively.

Delgra said the new fare hike in Metro Manila will take effect 15 days after publication.

Montealto said that a local transport group has pending petition for P2.50 provisional fare hike which is still pending before his office. The petition was filed by the Basak-Lapulapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association.

"Nagpa abot pa mi sa data sa National Economic Development Authority," said Montealto when asked about the update of the petition.

Montealto said he will make the recommendation to Manila for final decision. The minimum fare for jeepneys in Central Visayas will become P9 if the petition will be approved. — FPL (FREEMAN)