More groups to seek P1 hike in PUJ fare

CEBU, Philippines - There will be a unified petition for a P1 increase in the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJ) in Central Visayas, which will be filed tomorrow at the regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board.

But lawyer Manuel Iway, who has petitioned for the lowering of the minimum fare, said that he will file his opposition to the petition since it lacks basis.

Ryan Benjamin Yu, chairman of the Cebu Confederation of Transport Operators and Drivers Association Inc., told The Freeman yesterday that the transport groups of Carmen, Liloan, Danao will also file a similar petition.

Aside from these transport groups, the Cebu Integrated Transport and Allied Services Cooperative and the Visayas United Drivers Transport and Allied Services Cooperative will join the filing of the petition.

LTFRB regional director Romulo Bernardes said that in a dialogue with Yu yesterday, the latter informed them about their plan to seek a fare adjustment amidst the rising cost of diesel fuel.

“Di na gyud mapugngan. Mo file gyud mi ug fare hike petition hopefully this coming Friday kay mahal na gyud ang krudo,” Yu said.

According to Yu, the price of diesel has already increased by P4.50 per liter for the past two weeks.

Iway said that he wants his petition to reduce the minimum fare to P6 to be resolved first before the LTFRB entertains this petition for an increase.

Iway said that right now although the minimum fare is P6.50, many drivers still charge passengers P7.

“Daghan kaayo ug reklamo nga kaning mga drivers, 7 pesos gyud ang ilang kuhaun nga plete bisan P6.50 ra ang minimum fare,” Iway said.

He added that majority of the drivers were also not implementing the 20 percent discount for the senior citizens, students and disabled. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)