FEJODAP to seek P2.00 hike in jeepney fares

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) is set to petition for a P2.00 increase in fares, given the successive increases in pump prices of petroleum products.

According to FEJODAP national president Ricardo “Boy” Rebaño, jeepney drivers are now bearing the brunt of the increase of local pump prices.

“Dalawang piso po ang panawagan ko sa ating pamahalaan para naman po maka-survive itong mga driver natin na kasalukuyan ay bumabalik sa paghahanap-buhay,” he said in Vonne Aquino's report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

“Ang akala nila magtutuloy-tuloy itong pagbaba ng petroleum products pero kabalintunaan baka bumalik ho ito sa pagko-construction ulit,” he added.

[We are appealing for a P2 increase from the government for our drivers to survive. They are just returning to the workforce as they expected the continuous decline of petroleum products but on the contrary, they may just return to construction jobs.]

Domestic pump prices are set to be hiked once again this week, with an oil industry source forecasting major movements: up by P1.30 to P1.60 per liter for gasoline, and diesel by P5.40 to P5.70.

This comes as oil firms last week hiked prices per liter of gasoline by P0.70, diesel by P2.60, and kerosene by P2.80.

Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicate that year-to-date adjustments stood at a net increase of P18.15 per liter for gasoline, P31.70 per liter for diesel, and P27.10 per liter for kerosene as of August 23, 2022.

For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the FEJODAP is welcome to make a petition, which will still undergo evaluation.

“They can always file a supplemental petition in our office and we will hear and evaluate it accordingly,” LTFRB Chairperson Cheloy Garafil said in the same report. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News