TRANSPORTATION Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Wednesday assured the public that the government continues to explore ways to cushion the impact of sustained increases in fuel prices on the operations of public utility vehicle (PUV) and bus operators and drivers, as well as on commuters.
At the same time, Lopez has sought the transport sector’s “patience, understanding and consideration,” assuring them that the government is implementing various initiatives to mitigate the impact of high fuel prices.
The DOTr chief said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the agency to address both the concerns of the transport sector and commuters with dispatch.
According to the agency, its initiatives — such as fuel discounts and free tolls on expressways — are being continuously implemented to ease the burden on bus operators and drivers.
Lopez said that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), its attached agency, continues to hear fare hike petitions.
“On fare hikes, this is what I always say: at this point in time, we are still squeezing the government. Whatever initiatives or subsidies we can provide — like our fuel discount, which we know increased from P10 to P12, and which benefits only limited transport modes such as jeepneys and UV (utility vehicle) Express,” he said.
The government has been considering extending it further to other transport modes, Lopez added.
Because of high inflation, which also translates into higher prices of goods and services, the top DOTr official said that every decision must be balanced and all factors considered.
“Inflation itself is quite high. Our August inflation was at 6.1. If we increase fares, that will surely contribute to inflation,” he explained. “It will also add to the prices of services and goods. So, what we are trying to say is that the government will absorb this; we will squeeze resources as much as we can — subsidies, various initiatives.”
