Major transport groups revived their call for P5 additional fares for jeepneys to address the impact of the bigtime oil price hike this week.
Pasang Masda President Obet Martin told Brigada NewsFM Manila that the increase in petroleum prices has significant impact on drivers’ income.
Martin said the drivers are expected to lose more than P100 a day as their daily income only ranged from P300 to P400.
“ Alam mo dito sa fare increase na ito ang nawawala sa mga driver ay P100 to P120 a day dahil iyan po ay pambili ng bigas pambili ng tuyo at tinapay nila. Napakalaking bagay po ng P120 sa isang tsuper,” Martin
The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) also renewed their call for their pending fare hike petition in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The transport groups petitioned for P5 additional fare in 2023 but they were only given a provisional increase of P1.
Pasang Masda, ALTODAP and other transport groups who are members of the “Magnificent 7” are yet to finalize the exact amount they want to be added in the present P13 minimum fare for jeepneys in Metro Manila.
The latest oil price hike is expected to take effect Tuesday morning with Diesel price increase reaching P2.70 per liter, kerosene P2.50 per liter and gasoline P1.65 per liter.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.