BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Cordillera is still awaiting decision from its Central Office regarding the petition for a temporary fare increase.
At least three transportation groups filed a petition to the LTFRB for a provisional fare hike for jeepneys with an additional five pesos for the minimum fare and another two pesos for the succeeding kilometers.
According to the LTFRB-CAR, the petition is still subject to public hearing and consultation.
Local commuters and jeepney drivers are divided on the proposed fare hike. Some have expressed concerns about its impact on commuters especially students while others are in favor to guarantee continuous transportation.
Student Curtis Joseph Dolipas said he is not in favor of the proposed provisional fare increase because it will affect his budget.
“As a student, hindi ako favor sa increase ng fare kasi madadagdagan na naman ‘yung mga expenses, imbes na sakto lang sa budget, example sa food, mababawasan na naman ‘yung pwedeng gastusin doon, mapupunta sa fare, tapos ako especially coming from Asin Road, 15 pesos na ‘yung fare namin so kung ma-approve ito, baka maging 17 pesos pa. So it’s really gonna be a pressure for us students, especially those coming from far away places,” Dolipas explained.
Commuter Elvira Bosaing said that she does not support the fare increase but they cannot stop it due to inflation. Nobody wants to operate a jeep if the earnings are not good, she said.
“Anya ngay ngarud ket haan tayo talaga piman nga mapasardeng ti inflation, kasama dayta ti inflation sunga nu ngumato ti gasolina, ngumato ti transportation met, kasjay nga talaga, sumursurot dayta nga talaga.”
For some jeepney drivers, all that they want is a rollback in the prices of petroleum products. They said that some of the reasons that affect their income are the increase in fuel prices and the absence of backload passengers.
“Din krudo kuma di bumaba ta nu ngumato san pamasahe, kakaasi abe di estudyante, isunga di importante din krudo di bumaba ta baken maapektaran dadin estudyante ay nguminay pamasahe. Din krudoy bumaba ta at least ay steady di pamasahen di ipugaw,” said Wiltor, a jeepney driver.
[It’s the oil prices that should go down because of its effects like fare increase which will affect especially the students. With low oil prices, fare would remain steady.
“Adda nga adda bassit nga pag-improve-an na ngem nu continuous ladta iti panag-price hike ti presyo ti petrolyo, krudo kasla awan metlang ngay, kasla parehas ladta ta nu agingato da gamin ti 2 pesos, ti krudo nu agibaba da met sentimo lang isunga uray nu ingato da nga ingato ti pasahe nu diyay presyo met ti diesel ket pangato met nga pangato, kasla parehas lang,”jeepney driver Aljon Pa-at said.
The LTFRB Central Office is expected to release the decision on the petition in April.
To help ease the burden of drivers and operators, the government resumes the provision of fuel subsidy or Pantawid Pasada for qualified operators and drivers of public utility vehicles. This is targeted to be completed by the second quarter of 2025. (JDP/DEG/Ariann Mangayabas-PIA-BSU)
