LTFRB chair says jeepney fares ‘due for increase’

Jeepney fares nationwide are due for an increase, the chairperson of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said on Monday.

Atty. Cheloy Garafil made the remark a day before fuel companies were expected to increase the prices per liter of diesel by over P6.

"They're due talaga naman na for increase. Kasi the last time we had this fare rate increase was ang level pa lang ng diesel nun was I think 44 pesos per liter," Garafil said told reporters in a Zoom call.

"It's just a question of that, kung magkano 'yung mabibigay namin na hindi siya magkakaroon ng malaking impact sa inflation at siyempre du'n sa ating commuters who will bear the brunt of this fare hike na aing i-implement," she added.

Garafil said the LTFRB might release its decision as regards the amount of increase by September.

“Dito sa fare hike petitions ng mga jeepneys, actually, nandiyan na ang NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) position. They already submitted their position on it and we’re waiting for their memorandum on September 3 and then we can act accordingly,” Garafil said.

“So, we can expect, siguro ang rate hike resolution nila will happen at the earliest in the first week of September or the latest by the second of week of September,” she added.

(Regarding the fare hike petitions of jeepneys, actually, there was the position of NEDA. They already submitted their position on it and we’re waiting for their memorandum on September 3 and then we can act accordingly. So, we can expect, maybe their rate hike resolution will happen at the earliest in the first week of September or the latest by the second week of September.) —Joseph Morong/NB, GMA News