By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As consecutive oil price hikes pushed fuel prices closer or even beyond three digits, motorists and transport workers continue to reel from the added strain on their tight budgets.
This, as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Acting Chairperson Greg Pua Jr. said that the agency aims to strike a balance between the commuters’ spending power and the plight of PUV drivers and operators in its study of fare hike recommendations.
As of press time, diesel prices hovered between P90-P110 and gasoline prices ranged between P80-P100, which prompted a second look into renewed calls for fare adjustments.
Chairperson Pua Jr. said in an interview, “Tinitingnan po natin dito yung kapasidad kung kakayanin pa po ng ating mga mananakay yung dagdag pamasahe at yung [desisyon na ilalabas] kung itataas po natin, maging yung epekto po nito sa inflation natin and of course yung hanapbuhay po ng ating mga transport workers.”
He moreover clarified that the agency will continue to provide P12/L fuel discount for jeepney and UV Express drivers in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), with a further recommendation to extend the program or increase the fuel discount rate to P20/L in light of recent developments.
Acting Chair Pua Jr., meanwhile, reminded fuel stations to maintain compliance with recommended fuel prices and encouraged motorists to report stations involved in price gouging.
Apart from the P12/L fuel discount, other measures to alleviate the burden of rising fuel prices on the transportation sector include:
- Monthly financial assistance worth P20,000 for modern jeepney operators for 3 months
- Waived toll fees for provincial buses
- Tighter enforcement against colorum PUVs
While fare hike petitions are yet to be determined, the DOE continues to recommend the removal or reduction of excise tax imposed on petroleum products to help motorists navigate these challenging times.
The LTFRB official assured motorists and PUV drivers, “Alam po namin ang inyong mga pinagdadaanan po ngayon at kami po ay naghahanap ng paraan upang makatulong po kami sa inyo, upang mapagaan po at mabawasan ang gastos sa operasyon dahil po sa taas ng presyo ng diesel at gasolina.” (with report from JM Thompson | PTV News)
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