LTFRB says P10 jeepney fare hike request ‘unprecedented’

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday described as “unprecedented” the petition seeking a P10 increase in jeepney fares amid high fuel prices.

“Nag-isyu na po tayo ng notice of hearing po diyan. It’s very interesting, ang laki ng kanilang hinihingi. It is unprecedented yung laki ng hinihingi po nila. So, bibigyan po natin ng pagkakataon, i-explain po nila yan,” LTFRB chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza told GTV’s Balitanghali in an interview.

(We have issued a notice of hearing on that. It’s very interesting, the size of what they are asking for. It is unprecedented, the amount they are asking for. So, we will give them a chance, they will explain that.)

Mendoza also said that all stakeholders, including transport groups and commuter organizations, would be given the opportunity to be heard.

On Monday, transport group PISTON filed a petition with the LTFRB seeking a P10 fare hike, raising the minimum jeepney fare from P13 to P23.

“This is not meant to improve the lives of drivers, but to recover the significant losses and allow them to continue serving the public,” PISTON president Mody Floranda said.

Several groups of PUV drivers and operators earlier staged transport strikes to protest high fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.

They are pushing to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law as well as the 12% value-added tax and excise tax on diesel to ease the financial burden of affected transport workers. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News