As transport groups demand the increase of fares amid the recent increase in fuel prices.
On Wednesday, July 22, as the two-day strike launched by transport group MANIBELA officially began, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to begin consultations on petitions filed for fare increases amid the rising oil prices.
According to Lopez, it is important to study the petitions carefully as they will have an impact on inflation, which is considered the most important issue for Filipinos based on a recent Pulse Asia survey.
He told during an interview with ANC’s Headstart, “The complication right now is that we have to also address inflation. In a recent survey, one of the top concerns of our fellow Filipinos is how to manage inflation.”
The transport chief continued, “I understand that there are several petitions filed before the LTFRB for this fare hike. I instructed LTFRB to also start the process like public consultation and consultations with the regional directors nationwide.”
Despite this, the Secretary assured that several government programs to help drivers are still ongoing, including the Fuel Subsidy Program — with the possibility of an extension already being studied.
“[LTFRB should] start the process but also look at if we can, might as well, expand this government interventions like the fuel subsidy or fuel discount. In that way, we can manage inflation.,” the Secretary added.
LTFRB
Meanwhile, in line with that, the LTFRB has also said that it will recompute the appropriate fare adjustments based on the call of Manibela, as well as the pending petition of PISTON for a PHP10 fare hike.
“But in doing so, there are factors that will be taken into consideration such as the capacity of the riding public to absorb additional transportation costs and the overall inflationary effects of any amount of fare adjustment to the price of basic goods and services,” the agency added.
However, it assured that instead of an interim adjustment due to the price of petroleum products, the LTFRB will “come out with a final resolution in the soonest possible time.”
“In the meantime, the fuel discount will continue and the LTFRB is exploring the possibility of expanding its coverage to reach as many PUVs as possible, as well as increase the amount,” it stated.
𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐘
Due to the ongoing strike, the DOTr, in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Energy, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, at Department of Labor and Employment, also began implementing free shuttle services for commuters affected by the strike during Tuesday’s morning and evening rush hours.
The said program will continue on Thursday, July 23 from 7 to 10 am and again from 5 to 8 pm.
The announced routes are Welcome Rotonda-Fairview; Recto-Cubao via Nagtahan; Quiapo-Cubao via E. Rodriguez; Quiapo-Fairview; Kalentong-Pasig Palengke; and PITX-Lawton (and vice-versa).