MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to decide on the proposed jeepney fare hike submitted by various transport groups to mitigate the impact of series of oil price increases in the country, LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said on Tuesday.
This, as the Board has received the assessment of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on the impact of the fare increase on the riding public as well as the inflation rate in the country.
“Sa ngayon ay ikinakasa na namin ang desisyon kasi natanggap na natin ang comment ng NEDA. Kailangan din natin alamin angcomments ng ibang mga government agencies especially sa epekto ng pagtataas ng pasahe kagaya na rin sa pagtataas ng costs of goods and services which may also impact on inflation (We are set to decide on this because we have already received the comments of NEDA. We also need to get comments from other government agencies especially on the impact of fare hikes similar to the increases in costs of goods and services which may also impact on inflation),” Delgra said in a radio interview.
He said they will also be consulting with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Energy on the matter.
“Hopefully we will be able to come up with a decision sooner,” Delgra said.
The LTFRB chief said they strive to come up with a fare structure that will balance the welfare of the riding public and ensuring sustainable income for jeepney operators and drivers.
Several transport groups have filed a petition before the LTFRB last year asking for a PHP4 jeepney fare increase — from PHP8 to PHP12.
The petition cited rising fuel costs due to higher excise taxes on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.
The LTFRB has granted a PHP1 provisional fare increase from PHP8 to PHP9 last July.
Transport groups Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines and Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator ng Pilipinas Genuine Organization threatened to stage massive protest actions if the government will not act on the proposed fare hikes. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
