LTFRB OKs P1 hike in minimum PUJ fare

MANILA, Philippines — Starting Sunday, the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys nationwide will be P13 after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved a provisional increase of P1.

The fare increase will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 8 for both modern and traditional jeepneys amid fluctuating fuel prices.

The minimum fare for traditional jeepneys will increase to P13 from the current P12, while for modern jeepneys will be P15 from the previous P14.

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz said the increase is only provisional, to cushion the effects of pump price hikes in the past weeks.

Guadiz said the board has yet to deliberate on a petition filed by transport groups, seeking an increase of P5 in the minimum fare and P1 for every succeeding kilometer.

“As of now, only their provisional remedy is being recognized to address the 11 increases in the prices of gasoline since the start of the year,” Guadiz said in English and Filipino.

“This is only temporary while their petition is being heard, which would be a different case. There is no guarantee of the (P5) fare increase. It will be subject to a fare hearing based on the data of jeepney and transport groups,” he said.

The LTFRB will not issue a fare matrix for PUJs as the fare hike is only provisional.

Guadiz said the main petition will not likely be resolved within the year as the transport groups are asking for a hefty increase.

“It will be difficult to resolve this year because so many data are required and it would heavily affect the economy. For every peso we increase, it will trigger inflation,” he added.

Pasang Masda president Obet Martin asked for understanding from commuters as transport workers need the fare increase amid the fuel price hikes.

“The plight of the commuters is being taken into consideration. We are appealing for understanding because there is a need for an increase of P1,” Martin said.

Transport groups lauded the fare hike resolution, saying that it will provide at least P250 in additional earnings for jeepney operators and drivers.

Meanwhile, commuter groups did not directly oppose the fare hike, saying they understand the plight of transport workers.

The Passenger Forum (TPF) conducted an informal survey showing 43 percent of the respondents are willing to accept a P1 fare increase if it is necessary.

Twenty-nine percent hoped the fare increase would be less than P1.

TPF convenor Primo Morillo said they would oppose any further increase, noting that Filipinos are currently facing extreme food inflation.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said the P1 provisional fare hike in public utility jeepneys is proof of the Marcos administration’s lack of action in addressing the rising prices of fuel.

Bayan president Renato Reyes said Marcos could not even sacrifice confidential funds to help mitigate the effects of highcosts of fuel on jeepney drivers.

“They don’t want to reduce taxes because they don’t want to reduce the sources of confidential and intelligence funds,” Reyes said.

He said the government’s Pantawid Pasada program is not enough, that’s why jeepney operators and drivers were compelled to ask for a provisional fare hike. – Emmanuel Tupas