By Pearl Gumapos
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday (March 9) said that there are solutions available to public utility vehicle drivers amid the hike in oil prices.
“Naiintindihan natin ang sentimyento ng ating mga transport operators and drivers. Pero isinaalang-alang at masusing inaaral ng LTFRB ang lahat ng aspeto kasi hindi lang naman operators at drivers ang apektado,” LTFRB Executive Director Kristina Cassion said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
BASAHIN: Ipinaliwanag ni Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Executive Director Kristina Cassion na kailangan ng masusing pag-aaral hinggil sa apela ng mga public transport operators at drivers na pagtataas sa singil ng pamasahe.
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“Iyong mga operators, mayroon pa naman tayong basket of solutions na maibibigay sa kanila. Andiyan iyong fuel subsidy na P2.5 billion,” she said.
According to Cassion, aside from the fuel subsidy, there’s also the service contracting program where PUV drivers will give free rides in exchange for weekly compensation from the government.
“And then we have the service contracting program in which nagbibigay ng libreng sakay ang ating mga pampublikong sasakyan at kapalit niyan ay ang gobyerno ang magbabayad sa kanila ng weekly. Ang weekly na bayad na ito will cover operational expenses,” she said.
Meanwhile, Cassion said drivers who raise fare prices without permission from the LTFRB will be held liable.
“Maituturing overcharging ang sobrang paniningil at ang overcharging ay may penalty na first offense ay P1,000, second offense ay P10,000. Third and subsequent offense ay P15,000 iyong fine niya,” she said.
Cassion then called on passengers experiencing illegal fare price hikes to report liable drivers and advised commuters to list down drivers’ plate number for the agency to issue a show-cause order. – bny
Watch the full interview here:
