MANILA, Philippines — Starting Friday, the minimum fare on public utility jeepneys now stands at P11 all over the country after an increase meant to help drivers and operators amid soaring fuel prices.
This comes after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved Wednesday the provisional fare increase of P2 petitioned by groups representing jeepney drivers and operators, many of whom have been forced to resort to other means of livelihood after the previous fares only saw them operate at a loss.
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"In issuing this resolution, let it not be said that the agency is indifferent to the plight suffered by the transport sector due to the increase of fuel prices," the LTFRB wrote in its decision.
"With the cautious examination of the complexities of the various concerns of our stakeholders, the Board balances these interests guided by the principle that now more than ever, the need for the riding public to have mass transportation must be sufficiently met," the agency noted.
In a text message sent to reporters, LTFRB executive director Tina Cassion said that with the approval, the minimum fares nationwide should stand at P11 for traditional jeepneys and P13 for modernized jeepneys. This increase is on top of the P1 increase that the board granted earlier.
She added that in the event of overcharging, jeepneys with plates will be penalized immediately while the LTFRB "will conduct monitoring."
The LTFRB in its decision also claimed that the national government's fuel subsidies and service contracting programs are meant to "insulate the unstable movement of prices of fuel," though transport groups have hit the programs for their sluggish payout.
At the protest of progressive groups in Plaza Miranda on Thursday, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide chair Mody Floranda pointed out that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not expressed openness to removing excise tax on oil products.
"We know that when the price of oil goes up, the prices of basic goods and services for the people go up too...the ranks of the transport sector are being exploited by the oil deregulation law," he said then in Filipino.