LTFRB extends fare guide deadline

After issuing a stern warning that they would not be extending the deadline for jeepney and bus operators to pay the P520 fee and secure their respective fare matrix forms, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) officials backtracked and announced that they are giving another extension, this time until June 27.

Emerging from a meeting with various transport leaders, LTFRB Chairwoman Ma. Elena Bautista said they gave due credence to the reasoning of the groups seeking for an extension due to time constraints. "After meeting with public utility leaders, the LTFRB decided to extend the deadline to secure fare matrices to June 27," she said.

This means, that all payments for matrices made on June 17 shall be released on June 20, June 18 on June 22, June 20 on June 23, June 21 on June 25 and June 22 on June 27, Bautista said. Bautista stressed that LTFRB will be open today and tomorrow (June 19 and 20), but only to release the fare guides, but the cashier will be closed.

"LTFRB regional directors have discretion to set deadlines per region but not later than June 30," she said.

"All fare matrices released before June 16 must have their matrices dry sealed and stamped by June 25," Bautista added.

She said that the Metropolitan Manila, Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, and the Department of Transportation and Communications Action Center have been informed of the extension.

Bautista, in a forum of the Manila Overseas Press Club last Thursday at the La Dolce Fontana restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan said that the the June 18 deadline was already "final."– Rainier Allan Ronda