President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered his economic team to study a proposed P1 fare increase for public utility jeepneys, in particular its impact on commuters and operators.
“The President’s directive is to study this carefully because many will be affected. This will be decided not only by the DOTr (Department of Transportation) but the whole economic team to determine if the public can bear the additional fare,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
She said public consultations and hearings would also be held to ensure a balanced approach among stakeholders, including jeepney drivers, operators, and commuters.
Transport groups – Pasang Masda, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers’ Associations of the Philippines (ALTODAP) and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations – earlier sought a P1 increase in the minimum fare for jeepneys, citing rising fuel and maintenance costs.
The current minimum fare for traditional jeepneys is P13 for the first four kilometers.
ALTODAP president Boy Vargas said the proposed fare hike could offset the lost income jeepney drivers of as much as P300 daily.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, however, was lukewarm to the proposal.
“I have a source (for subsidies instead). And I don’t want to burden our people,” he said.
However, Guadiz acknowledged the subsidy vouchers can only be distributed to PUV drivers once crude oil prices reach $80 per barrel in the world market.
Oil firms on Tuesday implemented a price rollback to reflect the lower prices at the global oil market.
Diesel prices went down by P1.50 per liter, kerosene by P1.30 per liter and gasoline by P0.40 per liter amid the increase in production from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and continued US tariff uncertainties.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Marcos tasks economic team to review P1 jeepney fare hike proposal”
