A transport cooperative in Northern Mindanao is pushing for a P5 to P7 provisional fare increase following the big-time oil price hike.

For the first time since the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in Northern Mindanao, a group of modernized jeepney operators are set to file a petition for a provisional fare increase as prices of petroleum products in the local market continue to shoot up.

The Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO) confirmed that the group plans to seek a P5 to P7 fare adjustment before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

NOMFEDTRASCO chief executive officer, Luzminda Escobidal, said she usually opposes fare increases and prefers that the government provide fuel subsidies instead, but the continuing spike in fuel prices has forced operators to consider other options.

“Isa gyud ko sa gasupak sa fare increase kay ako untang gusto fuel subsidy ra man gyud, pero kay kabalo nata unsay domino effect,” NOMFEDTRASCO Chief Executive Officer, Luzminda Escobidal, said.

Escobidal said they were surprised when the diesel price from their bulk supplier suddenly surged.

She explained that diesel previously cost P56.10 per liter, but it went up to around P96.10 per liter, a difference of about P44.

“From P56.10, to supplier price pa na P96.10 niabot na og kada litro ug something 44 ang deperensiya. Atong consumption sa fuel karon sa amo lang 46 liters per day. Dati kung 56 mokaon lang og mga 2,400 kapin karon kung moabot na sa P96.10. Moabot na gyud siya ug kwatro mil kapin among matubil kada litro,” Escobidal added.

The group is also urging the LTFRB to release the service contracting program to help cover their rising fuel costs.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB-Northern Mindanao said it is waiting for the formal petition papers for a fare increase from NOMFEDTRASCO.

LTFRB-10 Director, Alexes Joseph Bendijo, said once the petition is filed with the regional office, it will be forwarded to the LTFRB central office in Manila, which will decide whether to approve the requested fare increase.

“Kung naay formal nga petisyon nga ilang idangop diri sa buhatan sa LTFRB Region 10 ato dayon na ipasa sa kaulohan kay didto man gihapon ang desisyon ana kung ipatuman ilang gipangayo nga dugang plete. Sa karon ato gihulat nga i-download na gyud ang fuel subsidy,” Bendijo said.