Jeepney drivers welcome service contracting program

Some jeepney drivers have welcomed the government’s service contracting program for public utility vehicles (PUVs), saying it could help ease their financial burden amid rising fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.

According to Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, jeepney driver Emmanuel Salgado said the additional income from the program would help cover fuel costs.

“Sa amin, kami ang sumasagot sa diesel at boundary, kaya malaking tulong ang service contracting. Kung sakaling kapusin kami sa diesel, may pantapal kami,” Salgado said.

(We shoulder the cost of diesel and the boundary fee, so the service contracting program is a big help. If we fall short on fuel, we have something to cover it.)

Under the program, the government will pay jeepneys and UV Express units P30 to P40 per kilometer, while buses will receive P82 to P100 per kilometer.

However, some drivers, like Cleofas Buyras, said they were unable to join due to lack of information. He said he could have earned more than P1,000 for a round trip from Lagro to SM North in Quezon City.

“Wala nag-inform sa amin na may ganitong programa ang gobyerno. Kung meron, willing kami sumama dahil dagdag kita ito,” Buyras said.

(No one informed us about such a program. If there is one, we are willing to join because it would provide additional income.)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said registration remains open, and interested drivers may apply through its website.

The agency also said GPS devices, which add to drivers’ expenses, are no longer required, as it will instead use a QR code system.

Meanwhile, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said global oil prices remain relatively stable, and another rollback is possible if tensions in the Middle East continue to ease.

“Medyo steady pa siya. Hopefully, walang mangyaring drastic or violent incident. Kapag may tinamaang barko, nagre-react ang market at tumataas ang presyo,” Garin said.

(It’s somewhat steady for now. Hopefully, nothing drastic or violent happens. If a ship is hit, the market reacts and prices go up.)

The DOE said it will continue monitoring global prices until Friday before issuing an estimate for the following week.

“Kung ano ang magiging diperensya ng average prices over five days kumpara sa nakaraang linggo, iyon ang magiging adjustment para sa susunod na linggo,” Garin said.

(Any difference in the five-day average compared with the previous week will determine the adjustment for the coming week.)

Arnel Ty, founder of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association, said the rollback for LPG will be announced on Friday.

A P3-per-kilogram rollback, or about P33 for an 11-kilogram tank, has already been confirmed following the removal of excise tax on LPG.

However, final prices will still depend on movements in the global market.

Despite the rollback, LPG prices remain above P1,000, which eatery owner Marlou Araon said is still high compared with around P800 before the Middle East conflict.

She said the increase in LPG and other goods has forced her to raise food prices, with customers now ordering smaller portions and more rice.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/MCG, GMA News