MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will hear on Sept. 26 the petition of transport groups for a P5 increase in minimum fare, including a provisional adjustment of P1 amid the continued spike in petroleum prices.
Melencio Vargas, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers’ Associations of the Philippines (ALTODAP) president, said in a radio interview yesterday that jeepney drivers could no longer afford the series of oil price hikes, citing another round of increases set for Sept. 12.
Oil companies are set to implement the increases – P0.30 to P0.60 per liter for diesel, P0.10 to P0.40 per liter for gasoline and P0.20 to P0.50 per liter for kerosene – tomorrow.
“We filed a petition pushing for a fare hike and will be heard on Sept. 26… We are saddened by the unabated increase in the diesel prices and yet the minimum fare is still the same. Drivers are no longer earning,” Vargas said.
He added that drivers are “forced to continue our operation as we have no other source of income to feed our family.”
Aside from ALTODAP, the groups Pasang Masda and Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations also asked for a P5 increase in minimum fares. If granted, this would bring the current P12 minimum rate for the first four kilometers to P17.
Meanwhile, Vargas said the jeepney drivers should benefit from the government’s fuel subsidy after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P3 billion to fund the program, which is directed at 1.36 million public utility vehicle drivers and operators.
“If the fuel subsidy should be implemented, it should benefit all. During the previous administration, many (of jeepney drivers) did not receive the assistance. Operators should give the money to the drivers after claiming the assistance,” he said.
According to Vargas, the LTFRB should come up with a database of drivers to ensure that all would benefit from the program of the government.
The highest subsidy – P10,000 – will be given to drivers of modernized public utility jeepneys and modernized utility vehicle express.
Drivers of traditional public utility jeepneys and utility vehicle express, as well as public utility buses, mini-buses, taxis, shuttle service taxis, transport network vehicle services, tourist and school transport services and filcabs will be provided P6,500 each.
Drivers of delivery services will get P1,200 while tricycle drivers will receive P1,000.
Based on a master list of eligible beneficiaries, the Land Bank of the Philippines will distribute the subsidies through the identified modes of payment, upon receipt of instructions from the LTFRB on the procedures, mechanics, and the agreed schedule. (philstar)
