DOTr orders LTFRB: Start fare hike review

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to begin consultations on petitions for fare hikes amid rising oil prices.

Transport groups Manibela and Piston are pushing for a fare increase of P2 and P10, respectively.

Manibela’s transport strike is set to end today.

Lopez said it is important to study the fare hike petitions carefully since these will have an impact on inflation.

“In a recent survey, one of the top concerns of our fellow Filipinos is how to manage inflation,” Lopez said.

He assured the public that several programs are being implemented by the government to help drivers, including the fuel subsidy of P10 per liter.

The LTFRB is exploring the possibility of expanding the coverage of the fuel subsidy to reach more public utility vehicles as well as increase the amount.

The LTFRB said it would recompute the fare adjustments, based on the call of the transport groups.

“But in doing so, there are factors that will be taken into consideration, such as the capacity of commuters to absorb additional transportation costs and the overall inflationary effects of any amount of fare adjustment to the prices of basic goods and services,” the LTFRB said.

“What can be assured, however, is that instead of an interim adjustment given the price of petroleum products, the LTFRB will soon come out with a final resolution on the fare hike,” it added.

The city governments of Manila and Malabon offered free rides to stranded commuters yesterday.

In-person classes suspended

Some universities suspended face-to-face classes today amid the transport strike.

Adamson University said classes from preschool to senior high school would shift to synchronous online mode.

De La Salle University also suspended in-person classes in its Manila and Laguna campuses today. –  Bella Cariaso, Andrew Ronquillo