MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of transport groups will not back down on their petition for an increase of P2 in the minimum jeepney fare amid the rising prices of fuel and other essential goods.
The groups said the rollback of P0.20 per liter for diesel, which was implemented by oil firms on Tuesday, was “very minimal” compared to the P2.70 per liter increase in the previous week.
In an interview with The STAR, Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin said his group along with the Liga ng Transportasyon at mga Operator sa Pilipinas (LTOP) would revive the 2022 petition for a fare increase.
Martin said he and LTOP national president Lando Marquez would meet with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Teofilo Guadiz this week to discuss the petition for a provisional increase of P2 in the minimum fare.
The current minimum fare is P13 for traditional jeepneys and P15 for modern jeepneys.
If the petition is approved, the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys will increase to P15 and for modern jeepneys, P17.
Martin noted that the earnings of jeepney drivers went down by P130 per day following the increase in diesel prices last week.
He urged the Department of Energy to investigate the uneven price hikes and rollbacks implemented by oil companies.