The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved a provisional increase of P1 in the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), with the new fare set to take effect on Sunday, October 8.
This decision comes after a hearing involving the LTFRB, transportation representatives, and commuter groups who had filed petitions for a fare hike due to the escalating fuel prices.
“Effective ng October 8 at 1 in the morning, effective ang increase na provisional remedy. Piso lang po. Ibig sabihin ng provisional, temporary lang ito hanggang hindi pa nagi-improve and price ng gasolina,” said LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III.
As of now, the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) stands at P12.
In the previous month, the LTFRB had indicated that it was contemplating approving a fare hike before the end of the year.
This consideration came after transportation groups, including Pasang Masda, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers’ Association of the Philippines, filed petitions requesting a P5 increase in the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) due to the escalating fuel prices. These organizations also sought a P1 increase for every additional kilometer beyond the initial four kilometers.
Also read: Chinese man convicted of sex crime barred at NAIA – BI
P1 provisional fare hike for PUJs begins October 8
It has been announced that another hearing will be conducted next week to address the petition requesting the P5 increase in the minimum fare for PUJs.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary General Renato Reyes has attributed the need for a fare hike to what he perceives as the government’s “inaction” in addressing the ongoing surge in fuel prices.
“Kahit kaunting bawas sa buwis, hindi nila magawa. Ayaw nila mabawasan ang pagkukunan ng confidential and intelligence funds. Ang pantawid pasada ay malinaw na hindi sapat kaya kailangan nang magtaas ng pasahe ng mga tsuper,” Reyes said.
“Dapat kalampagin ang gobyerno kaugnay ng napakalaking buwis sa langis, na bawasan man lang ito upang bumaba ang presyo ng langis at maibaba ang pamasahe sa jeep,” he said.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.