These, as the country faces challenges amid the regional conflict in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, March 18, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of the planned fare hike on public utility vehicles, which was approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In a video message, the President said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been directed to not proceed with the hike and emphasized that it is not the right time to impose additional costs on workers, students, and daily commuters who rely on the transport system.
“Kaya’t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at i-defer muna natin ‘yan,” said Marcos in the video message. “I-postpone na muna natin ‘yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuters, sa lahat ng mga ating manggagawa, mga estudyante, lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system.”
The President assured that the government will expand support measures, including the rollout of free rides nationwide, fare discounts in MRT and LRT systems, and reduced toll fees, to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and global uncertainties.
“Ang DOTR ay inutusan ko na simulan na ang libreng sakay sa buong Pilipinas at puwede po ninyong gamitin na muna ‘yan para pangbawas sa gastos sa pang-araw-araw,” he told.
The MRT and LRT will also offer fare discounts, he said, adding motorists could also avail themselves of discounts when they use the toll roads.
Meanwhile, to allay fears of the country’s transport sector, the President promised additional state support to mitigate the effects of oil price adjustments. “Huwag pong mag-alala ang ating mga transport workers dahil mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman ay hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan.”
Furthermore, he assured the public that the government are working to cushion the impact of the ongoing war in Iran to the day-to-day lives of the Filipinos.
“Kahit na na may malaking gulo na nangyayari ay basta’t kaunti lang ang mararamdaman o sana man – kung kaya naming gawin – sana walang mararamdaman ng ating taong-bayan sa kanilang araw-araw na pagtrabaho, sa ating mga estudyante na araw-araw pumapasok,” he said.
DOTR’S STATEMENT
In response to his directive, the Department of Transportation has issued the following statement.
“Ipatutupad ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang direktiba ng Pangulo na ipagpaliban muna ang dagdag-pasahe sa mga pampublikong sasakyan habang nagpapatuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis bunsod ng nagpapatuloy na gulo sa Middle East,” the department wrote.
It added, “Tulad ng nabanggit ng Pangulo, inihahanda na rin ng DOTr ang iba’t ibang programang tututok at makatutulong sa ating mga pasahero at PUV drivers tulad ng libreng sakay.”
The Transportation Department also said that Secretary Giovanni Lopez has spoken to toll operators for the possible toll discount, while the fuel subsidy for qualified drivers and operators nationwide..
“Patuloy pong kumikilos ang DOTr at lahat ng attached agencies nito para matiyak na agad na maibibigay ang lahat ng posibleng ayuda at suporta sa mga komyuter, tsuper at transport operators,” it ended its statement.
CAREFUL ASSESSMEMT ON FUEL EXCISE TAX
On the same day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also said that the government is “carefully assessing global oil price trends” before deciding on the possible suspension of excise taxes on fuel.
“Depends on the trends. We have to watch the trends on oil prices,” the President said. “We just have to look. It’s very hard to say because it’s all speculation. We don’t know how long this will last. We don’t know what the effects are. We don’t know what will happen in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The President then emphasized that the government remains flexible in responding to evolving global developments and will act when necessary.
“So, you know, right now, we are just adjusting to the situation. And when the situation calls for it, then we will see when to exercise that power and by how much,” he said, before assuring the public that the country currently has “no problems with the supply of petroleum products, including fuel-based fertilizer for the farmers.”
Under the approved measures by both Houses of Congresses, it granting the President authority to suspend or cut excise taxes on petroleum products to ease the impact of rising crude oil prices, which was allowedbwhen the average price of Dubai crude oil hits around US$80 per barrel.
