LTFRB to hear jeepney fare rollback petition

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Friday said it will hear a petition to cut the minimum jeepney fare from P8.50 to P8 in Metro Manila and some provinces.

In a statement, the LTFRB said it is set to hear the petition on November 17 at 1 p.m. at the agency's main office.

"Naintindihan po namin ang kalagayan ng [commuters] at gayundin ang plight ng jeepney drivers and operators, kaya naman kaagad kaming magpapatawag ng public hearing upang matugunan ang request ng ating mambabatas at consumer group," said LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez.

Citing a series of diesel price rollbacks, Negros Oriental Rep. Manuel Iway, in a petition he filed last Wednesday, asked the LTFRB to reduce the minimum fare from P8.50 to P8 for the first 4 kilometers and the additional charge per succeeding kilometer from P1.50 to P1.40.

Meanwhile, Ginez said a notice of hearing has been sent to the office of petitioner Iway, a former LTFRB board member.

The LTFRB statement said the petitioner has 15 days prior to the date of the hearing to publish the Notice of Hearing in a newspaper of general circulation. The petitioners shall also submit proof of compliance with the judicial requirements.

Moreover, it said the petitioners would also need to submit proof of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements.

On the other hand, it said those contesting the approval of the rollback petition may file a position paper prior to the hearing date.

"We need to hear both side, the petitioners as well as the parties opposing the fare hike, before we can arrive at a sound decision," Ginez added. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News