Transport group eyes provisional fare rollback

MANILA, Philippines - With fuel prices generally going down, at least one transport group is mulling a petition for a provisional fare rollback. Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) president Efren de Luna said Friday the provisional rollback will allow them to hike fares once fuel prices go up again. "Ilang beses na nagkaroon ng rollback, napakadali naman. Ang request nga natin, makuha agad ng taumbayan ang kanilang benefit [There had been recent rollbacks of fuel prices. Our aim is to make people feel the 'benefits' of the price rollbacks]," De Luna said in an interview on dzXL radio. Besides, he said they already promised commuters that they will bring down fares by 50 centavos once diesel prices reach P26 per liter. De Luna also said they are opting for a provisional rollback because it will be facilitated earlier in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). From past experience, a petition for provisional adjustment was acted upon quickly. If you file a regular petition it will drag on for a long time, he said. Militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) secretary general George San Mateo added they are open to the idea of a fare rollback. But San Mateo said a hearing may be necessary so transport groups can also air their concerns such as higher prices of spare parts. We are open to th idea. But it must go through a public hearing so the LTFRB can consult the groups concerned, San Mateo said in a separate interview on dwIZ radio.- GMANews.TV