THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it was reviewing its earlier recommendation for a provisional fare increase for public utility vehicles (PUVs) amid fluctuating fuel prices.
LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the agency needed to recalculate its previous proposal because the fuel price assumptions used when the recommendation was first made had already changed.
“We will revise our recommendation. When we made that recommendation, the numbers were different,” Mendoza said in an interview on Monday.
The LTFRB earlier considered recommending a 50-centavo increase in the minimum jeepney fare when diesel prices were projected to reach between P61 and P65 per liter.
However, Mendoza said the agency would review the figures again to determine the appropriate adjustment amid the changing fuel price environment.
Under the LTFRB’s rule of thumb, every P10 increase in diesel pump prices could justify a P1 adjustment in minimum fares for jeepneys to help operators absorb higher fuel costs.
The same benchmark could also apply to buses operating in Metro Manila, while provincial buses may see a proposed adjustment of about 30 centavos per kilometer.
Despite possible adjustments, Mendoza said a provisional fare increase remained the government’s last option as authorities continued to examine other forms of assistance, such as fuel subsidies and service contracting.
Mendoza said the agency had been consulting transport groups on possible measures to assist jeepney and bus operators who were grappling with rising diesel prices.
He said the government’s first option was to release fuel subsidies for operators, followed by service contracting if needed.
“We have been waiting for the green light as far as fuel subsidy is concerned,” Mendoza said.
The LTFRB has also instructed its regional directors to identify routes that could benefit from service contracting while other possible interventions are being reviewed.
The agency is also studying bus operators’ requests for toll fee reductions to help offset operating costs.
LTFRB data show there are 136,980 traditional jeepneys and 9,183 modern public utility jeepneys nationwide, or roughly 146,000 units.
The agency has proposed a fuel subsidy of P10,500 to P12,500 per unit for modern jeepneys, and about P5,000 for traditional units.
Officials estimate the subsidy could cover fuel expenses for around 10 to 14 days.
Funds would be distributed through operators’ LandBank cards once released by the government.
Mendoza said authorities were also studying whether buses should be included in the fuel subsidy program.
Transport groups have warned that some provincial bus companies have already begun reducing trips due to higher fuel costs, raising concerns about possible disruptions in passenger services.
The LTFRB said it has submitted recommendations to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned agencies, with discussions ongoing on possible assistance measures.
Despite the options, Mendoza acknowledged that a provisional fare increase could become unavoidable if fuel prices continue to climb.
“We hope the fuel subsidy and other measures can be implemented first,” he said. “But if those are not enough, the provisional fare increase is there as an option.”
Free LRT, MRT rides
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña on Monday urged the Transportation Department to offer the public free rides on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT).
Cendaña made the call, fearing increases in fuel prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.
“If the DOTr was able to provide free MRT rides as a Christmas gift to commuters, we can very much also make it free while we are facing a crisis,” he said in Filipino and English in a statement.
“Commuters will bear the brunt of the rise in fuel prices. If there are free rides, it would ease the effect of the increase in the prices of petroleum and goods,” he said.
Cendaña also pushed for quality mass transportation.
The statement said Akbayan would file measures seeking “a stronger” government response on issues stemming from the conflict, including proposals to expand and increase the Pantawid Pasada program and encourage local government units to explore service contracting of public utility vehicles.
with a report from Reina Tolentino
