By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With successive increases in fuel prices and cost of vehicle spare parts eating into the profits of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) called for a fair and responsive approach to concerns raised by stakeholders in the transport sector.
In a media release on Tuesday, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to conduct a nationwide public consultation in relation to the petition for fare increase of various transport groups.
LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement, “We already issued a Board Resolution for the conduct of the public consultation on November 10 here at the Central Office. We will make sure that all concerned sectors will be present.”
He added further, “While we understand the concerns raised by those in the PUV sector dahil talaga namang sunod-sunod ang pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at mga spare parts ng sasakyan, kailangan din nating marinig ang panig ng lahat ng maapektuhan ng anumang taas-pasahe.”
The LTFRB Chief likewise noted several petitions from various PUV operators, especially from public utility buses (PUBs), public utility jeepneys (PUJs), and taxis requesting a fare increase.
After collating these, Mendoza vowed to ensure that all concerned stakeholders are involved in setting a common ground on balancing fare increases with the interests of commuters, and remain in line with the instruction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
He also directed all Regional Directors to provide him with the results of public consultations in every region by November 14, with November 17 eyed as the target date of submitting the LTFRB’s position and recommendation on this matter to the DOTr.
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