Group files fare hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - The Basak Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Inc. - National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Visayas has filed a formal petition to increase the minimum fare in jeepneys in Central Visayas to P8.

“We hope that LTFRB will act immediately sa amo gi file nga fare petition and conduct immediately the public hearing,” said Metudio Belarmino, a consultant to the group.

He joined the group’s president, Jaime Arapoc, in filing the petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 (LTFRB).

In  its four-page petition, the group said that since the last fare hike, which raised the minimum fare to P 6.50, developments in the region presents supervening conditions that warrants and justifies a new increase in the fare in jeepneys.

 These conditions include the rising cost of fuel, engine, and accessories of vehicles; the worsening traffic condition in Metro Cebu, and the daily take home pay of drivers reportedly going below the prevailing minimum daily wage in the region.

 The minimum wage in Central Visayas has increased by P13 per day starting March 10. The minimum wage in the National Capital Region has also increased.

 “Immediate economic relief must be extended to the drivers and operators by increasing the PUJ fare by P 1.50 to augment their daily income. The preceding factors caused an upsurge in the operating outlays of the members of herein petitioners, thus compounding the operating costs and resulting to a break-even return on their investments,” the petition reads.

The Cebu Integrated Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative have also file a petition seeking to increase jeepney’s minimum fare by P1.

The group cited, among others, the monstrous traffic in Metro Cebu, as well as the continuous increases in the prices of fuel as basis for the request.

Last April 5, LTFRB conducted a public hearing on the petitions of CITRASCO and BALACJODA but did not allow BALACJODA’s petition to be heard in the absence of a notice of a public hearing to the Office of the Solicitor General.

CITRASCO’s petition for a P1 fare surge from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. was heard but commuters opposed the same, saying the scheme would only cause confusion and fights among drivers and commuters.

In response, CITRASCO re-filed its petition last April 7 but BALACJODA filed a new petition.

LTFRB-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon said he will schedule a public hearing on the two petitions. (FREEMAN)