Proposed Increase on Minimum Jeepney Fare Gets LTFRBS’s Nod
INCREASE ON MINIMUM JEEPNEY FARE – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved the proposal to increase the minimum fare in jeepneys amid the high fuel costs.
Many Filipinos are expressing their sentiments on the high fuel costs in the Philippines now. According to some drivers, they can hardly earn in a day because of it and can no longer fully provide for the needs of their households. Some public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers claimed they are already buried in debts.
The high fuel costs in the Philippines now is a product of a series of oil price hikes since January. The authorities stressed that there is a global oil problem as the supply cannot meet the demands for oil across the globe.
Amid the high fuel costs in the country, a lot of people and groups called for the suspension of the fuel excise tax to drag the prices of oil down. However, Malacañang refused to approve the call.
According to the Palace, the fund from the fuel excise tax has already been allotted for several government projects. The outgoing administration did not speak further on the oil problem in the country now.
Just a day before the six-year term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ends, the LTFRB approved the petition seeking for increase on minimum jeepney fare amid the high costs of fuel in the country now. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, a P2 increase was approved by the transport body.
The increase on minimum jeepney fare will bring the minimum fare in traditional jeepneys to P11 and P13 in modern jeepneys. The said move of the LTFRB gave relief to several PUV drivers. Many are happy about it.
However, on the other side, PISTON transport group leader Ka Mody Floranda believes that although the increase is a huge thing, its benefit may again be outweighed if the oil price hikes in the Philippines continue. A lot of drivers have stopped plying due to the high fuel costs now.
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