LTFRB: More hearings are needed before deciding on jeepney fare hike

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will hold another hearing on the petitions to raise the minimum jeepney fare since the petitioners were asked to present additional documents to support their appeals.

LTFRB Executive Director Maria Kristina Cassion sought the understanding of the operators and drivers who asked for a P5-increase in the minimum jeepney fare.

“Naiintindihan po natin ang sentimyento ng ating mga transport operators and drivers. Alam po nating umaaray na talaga sila,” she said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing on Wednesday.

[We understand the sentiment of our transport operators and drivers. We know they're already feeling the pinch.]

The LTFRB on Tuesday heard the petitions submitted by transport groups 1-UTAK, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizers, the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, Pasang Masda, and the Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas.

Cassion said that the hearing was inconclusive since the petitioners still needed to present further documents. 

The transport groups have appealed for fare increases given the successive increases in domestic pump prices of petroleum products, which resulted in higher expenses.

Oil firms on Tuesday hiked prices per liter of gasoline by P3.60, diesel by P5.85, and kerosene by P4.10, marking the 10th straight week of upward movement.

Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicate that year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P8.75 per liter for gasoline, P10.85 per liter for diesel, and P9.55 per liter for kerosene as of February 22.

Cassion said the LTFRB needs more data to study the petitions, and it has been meeting with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to discuss the impact of any fare hikes on the economy and inflation.

“Hindi po natin sinasabi na hindi natin igagawad, hindi rin po natin sinasabi na igagawad natin ‘yung kanilang ibibigay na increase, pero sinasabi natin pinag-aaralan natin ng mabuti,” she said.

[We are not saying that we will not grant it. We are also not saying that we will grant the increase they are proposing, but we are saying that we are studying the petition thoroughly.]

The LTFRB is expected to issue its decision on the P1 provisional fare hike soon, according to Cassion, because it is now up for resolution by the board. — VBL, GMA News