JEEPNEY operators today filed a petition with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking for a P6 fare increase
The operators filed the petition due to the continued increase in prices of petroleum products.
Currently, premium gasoline is now priced at almost P70 per liter following another price increase of over P1 last Tuesday.
Since January 4 of this year, the price of gasoline have increased six times already or about P6.75 per liter while diesel have already increased by P9.15 per liter and kerosene at P8.45 per liter.
LTFRB Chairman Martine Delgra III confirmed the filing of the petition, to which jeepney operators have urged that it be granted immediately.
Jeepney operators are asking for an immediate P1 fare increase, plus an additional P5 be granted while the hearing for their fare increase petition is ongoing.
“Di ba 9 pesos ang minimum ngayon and they are asking for an immediate increase, pending hearing na one peso? So magiging 10 pesos and then during the hearing, they will try to prove their allegation na humingi ng additional 5 pesos. Mabigat yan,” according to Delgra.
Delgra believes that a fare increase is not necessary now, especially since there is already a P2.5-billion fund under the 2022 national budget that is allocated for fuel subsidy such as the Pantawid Pasada Program.
He said that not only jeepneys but also buses and TNVS will be included in the fuel subsidy program.
“The money is supposed to address the difference between the base price of fuel in relation to the current price of fuel.” Delgra adds.
Aside from this, the government is said to be bringing back the “Libreng Sakay” this month.
Meanwhile, passengers aired their complaint against the planned fare increase, which they said they can’t afford if there’s no corresponding wage increase.
“P9 po ngayon eh pag tumaas pa lalo hindi na sapat lalo’t normal lang kaming manggagawa. Hindi na kaya. Okay lang sana kung tataas yung sweldo,” says Greg Lumibao, a commuter.
Delgra assured that the government is doing its best to find ways to avoid additional financial burdens on ordinary commuters.
“Ang ginagawa po natin dito [ay] tugunan ‘yung hinaing ng ating operator but without having a much more negative impact sa mga commuter,” Delgra pointed out.