MALACAÑANG stated on Friday that imposing another public utility jeepney (PUJ) fare hike is “premature,” and a provisional P1 adjustment has remained in effect and is still sufficient to cover fuel costs.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said she has spoken with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza and Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez regarding petitions from transport groups.
“At present, there is a hearing underway, and they are carefully studying whether there will be a fare hike,” Castro said during a press conference.
But Castro said that based on the LTFRB’s computation, the existing P1 provisional increase “still covers the fuel cost for jeepneys.”
“According to the LTFRB, the request of jeepney operators and drivers appears premature because there is already a provisional fare increase of one peso,” Castro said.
“LTFRB’s priority now, if there will be a fare hike, is buses because they do not have a temporary fare hike,” she added.
Also, the Palace official said that hearings were ongoing as the board studied the impact of rising fuel prices on public transport operations.
The LTFRB has begun holding public consultations to study petitions for fare increases, with proposals to raise the minimum fare from P13 to P15 for traditional PUJs and from P15 to P17 for modern jeepneys.
The last time a fare hike was approved was in October 2023, for a P1 provisional increase.
Despite describing the fare hike petition as premature, Castro said the LTFRB was still studying what assistance might be extended to jeepney operators and drivers if oil prices continue to rise.
Castro did not elaborate on possible forms of aid but said discussions were ongoing among transport officials.
She also clarified that jeepney operators and drivers were not solely pushing for a fare hike but were raising concerns about illegal or “kolorum” vehicles.
“According to Chair Mendoza, the request of jeepney operators and drivers is not particularly about a fare hike but about fighting illegal vehicles,” she said.
Castro cited the ongoing enforcement efforts of the Land Transportation Office, which has intensified operations against unauthorized public utility vehicles.
