LTFRB: Provisional fare hike for PUJs before year-end likely

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday mentioned it’s more likely to approve a provisional fare enhance for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) earlier than the tip of the yr.

“Mahirap pong balansehin, nauunawaan po namin ‘yan. So we understand. We will consider the fare hike. However, give us a little time to determine how much and when would be the appropriate time to impose the fare hike,” mentioned LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz in Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras.”

(It is tough to steadiness. We perceive this. We will think about the fare hike. However, give us a bit time to find out how a lot and when could be the suitable time to impose the fare hike.)

Last month, transportation teams Pasang Masda, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers’ Association of the Philippines filed petitions in search of a P5 enhance within the minimal fare of PUJs amid the rising costs of gasoline merchandise.

The three organizations likewise requested for a P1 hike for each kilometer of journey after the four-kilometer journey.

Guadiz mentioned the LTFRB will conduct an preliminary listening to on the petitions on September 26. He additionally mentioned they must seek the advice of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for the fare enhance to find out its impact on the financial system.

If the LTFRB procedures are adopted, the company’s decision on the filed petitions could also be issued by the tip of October or the month of November.

“Pag ganito ang fare hike, ano ba ang epekto? Ilang percentage ng inflation ang itataas. In the end po, yung mga pamilya din ng mga tsuper ang maghihirap po pag tumaas ang presyo ng lahat ng bilihin,” mentioned Guadiz.

(If we approve the fare hike then what would be the impact on the financial system? How a lot will the inflation fee enhance? In the tip, the households of the jeepney drivers will likely be affected by the rise in costs of products.)

Transport group Pasang Masda (PM) decried the LTFRB’s remarks.

“Aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo. Hindi ganon. Alam nating makakaapekto ‘to pero ‘yung mga naapektuhan sa kasalukuyan nakikita ba nila? Kaming bang mga public transport sector na apektadong-apektado nakita nila?” PM president Obet Martin mentioned.

(We know it’ll have an effect on the financial system however can they see those that are struggling now? The public transport sector is battered by the rising gasoline costs.)

Fuel subsidy

Meanwhile, the LTFRB mentioned it had downloaded the funds allocations for the gasoline subsidy of round 50,000 jeepney drivers to the LandFinancial institution earlier. This will likely be elevated within the coming days to meet the money assist for the 1.6 million beneficiaries.

“Insofar as the LTFRB is concerned, downloaded na ang pera. Nasa processing na ng LandBank, how fast they can credit the money to the individual accounts of the operators,” mentioned LTFRB Executive Director Robert Peig.

(Insofar because the LTFRB is worried, the funds have been downloaded. It is now as much as the LandFinancial institution on how briskly they’ll credit score the cash to the person accounts of the operators.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the LandFinancial institution for a remark however it has but to reply.

In 2022,  the LTFRB accredited fare will increase for PUJs, buses, taxis, and transport community automobile providers in mild of the continual spike in gasoline costs. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News

Source: www.gmanetwork.com