One peso increase

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board finally approved an increase to the current fare that the commuting public is paying. However, it is only a meager one peso and even provisional at that. This means that they can revoke this anytime when their assessment shows that they could revert back to the normal fare. Unless there is an approved order to the increase, then the mechanism will stay that way. Again, like the previous piece on the hike increase, some would say that a peso is better than not having any at all.

During one of my jeepney rides from downtown Cebu City, I engaged myself in a conversation with the driver. He says that it is so difficult to earn with their current situation. The price of fuel continues to soar while they are losing their passengers to other modes of transportation such as motorcycle taxis and cars for hire. They somehow proved, based on their observation, that the passenger is now willing to pay extra for their comfort.

That being said, he said that jeepneys should be granted a fare increase just to make ends meet. The current traffic situation in the city isn't helping them as well. The more they find themselves in traffic jams, the more time is wasted while their fuel tank continues to empty itself, albeit slowly. If we account for the additional one peso to the hundreds of passengers that ride jeepneys every day, it could be worth liters of fuel. That may be helpful, but it is still not the solution.

The caveat is that LTFRB is only making this increase as provisional. It could be reverted back to normal at their decision. This agency should look at the other side of the situation by also riding public transportation. The whole office is in a mess as they try to modernize jeepneys without making proper designations and solutions to their problems. Cooperatives that are trying to pay off their debt for the new units are now also doubling their efforts to profit. The system of renting the whole unit is in effect, contrary to the regular pay that they should be given on a daily basis.

Of course, the public will also be affected. Any type of increase is something that should be carefully weighed. Will it be worth it? The ordinary Filipino who lives off a budget will have to realign its funds and consider this small increment. Then again, we all need to increase prices and pay as a result of inflation. It is a domino effect to the clamor of the workforce to also increase the daily minimum wage, one that is beyond ?33.

I'm not sure if I'll meet that jeepney driver again but I did tell him that they will one day find equality. There will be equality in his efforts poured contrary to the daily amount that he takes home every day. I hope that the one peso will be helpful, in whatever possible way.