The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reminded that the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) is still P9 despite implementing the large increase in the price of petroleum products this Tuesday.
In a message sent by LTFRB executive director Tina Cassion to reporters, she said the LTFRB has not yet made a decision on the transport groups’ petition for the additional fare charge.
Earlier, the LTFRB this morning heard the petitions of some transport groups for a minimum fare increase in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3, and Region 4.
In a separate statement, the LTFRB said it has already submitted to the Board for decision the request to make P10 the minimum fare for the PUJ service.
Minimum jeepney fare still P9 – LTFRB
Aside from the petition for a temporary increase of P1, the transport groups have a main request to raise the minimum fare to P14 or P15 and make the charge P2.50 from the current P1.50 for succeeding kilometers after four kilometers.
The LTFRB, on the other hand, admitted that the fare issue needs to be addressed, as it is not only the transport groups that are affected but also the passengers.
The P5.85 per liter price increase for diesel, P3.60 per liter for gasoline, and P4.10 per liter for kerosene was implemented today.
Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi advised the public to save on crude oil consumption and reduce travel due to the soaring price of petroleum products.
“What is our control? Let’s put it this way, what’s in our control as a consumer is conservation. That is in our hands. (We may) lessen our trips,” he said.
“The demand here in the Philippines must also go down… oil companies, they will be forced to regulate their oil pricing. That’s the law of supply and demand. What is within our hands is the efficient use of energy, there I encourage you,” Cusi added.
Among the alleged roots of the oil price hike in the global market is the war between Ukraine and Russia.
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