MANILA, Philippines — Most commuters residing in the Greater Metro Manila Area are against the implementation of a fare hike for public utility jeepney (PUJs), according to an informal survey conducted by transport advocacy group The Passenger Forum.
TPF convener Primo Morillo shared the result of the survey on Monday, which was conducted from September 16 to 17.
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"There is no doubt that regular commuters simply do not have the budget space to allow any fare hikes," said Morillo on Monday.
"This confirms what we have been asserting that the government should look for other solutions such as continuous and effective fuel subsidy for PUJs rather than simply giving the go signal for a fare increase.”
Most of the survey's 100 respondents came from Quezon City (20%), Manila (14%) and Caloocan (9%).
Approximately 29% of the participants use PUJs between 10 to 14 times a week, with another 20% relying on them even more frequently.
Over 72% of the sample population also said that the government should limit the proposed fare increase to just P1 (43%) or less (29%).
'Explain distribution of P3-B fuel subsidy'
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is currently facing a petition for a P5-increase in the minimum fare of jeepneys and a provisional hike of P1. This is separate from another petition, asking to increase it by P2.
LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III earlier said that a jeepney fare hike could likely happen before 2023 ends. Various transport groups have been requesting for hikes due to the continued surge in the prices of fuel.
Morillo, however, asserted that the LTFRB should publicly release the liquidation of the P3 billion fuel subsidy that was recently disbursed in connection with the oil price hikes.
"As the main rationale for the fuel subsidies is to cushion the effects of oil price hikes to the transport sector, it should also eliminate, or at least minimize, the need for fare hikes," Morillo said.
"We just cannot understand how LTFRB Chief Guadiz’ media statement after distributing 3 billion pesos is to announce that they will soon approve a fare hike. In fact, they should explain first how the 3 billion was spent. Malaking pera ang tatlong bilyong piso. Dapat ipaliwanag muna ito ng LTFRB."