LTFRB chair Delgra says fare matrix costs only P560, not P610

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Martin Delgra III on Wednesday clarified that operators only need to pay P560 for a copy of the new fare matrix, not P610 as had been widely reported.

In securing the new fare matrix, Delgra explained that jeepney operators must pay P510 for the regulatory fee and P50 for the fare matrix itself.

"It's not actually worth P610. It's actually... there's a regulatory fee that was issued as early as 2001. It's a department order which mandates a filing fee or regulatory fee of P510 everytime you apply for a fare matrix. But the fare matrix itself would only cost P50. It's basically to cover admin cost," Delgra said in an interview on CNN-Philippines.

The LTFRB chairman said he had no idea where does the information about the supposed P610 fare matrix fee came from.

"I really wouldn't know where the report is coming from about P610 to get... that's precisely hinihimay-himay ko 'yung cost structure in getting a fare matrix," Delgra said.

Delgra also noted that all the money that was collected by the agency will be transmitted to the National Treasury.

It was earlier reported that operators and drivers had to pay P610 to obtain the new fare matrix. The breakdown of the P610 fee is as follows:

• P40 for franchise verification
• P50 for fare matrix, and
• P520 for increase of rate

Delgra has said the agency would review the fee being charged to drivers and operators.

He apologized to jeepney operators and drivers who went through the difficult process of obtaining the new fare matrix.

"This is regretful to say the least. I have to apologize. But nevertheless, two things I have to say, I was surprised that's not the kind of event I would be handling in so far as the agency is concerned. But nevertheless, when I was told about the past events about issuing fare matrix years ago, it was even worse," Delgra said.

He also said the distribution of the fare matrix to jeepey drivers in the National Capital Region (NCR) would be transferred to LTFRB's central office to avoid congestion as it is more spacious.

"During a meeting yesterday afternoon with the heads of the divisions... we're transferring the distribution of fare matrix for NCR to the central office which will have more space starting today until we distribute all," Delgra said.

The LTFRB has required jeepney operators and drivers to obtain a copy of the new fare matrix so they can legally charge passengers with the minimum fare of P10.

Violators may be penalized from P5,000 to P15,000. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB/RSJ, GMA News