MANILA, Philippines – Taxi operators are asking for a P10 increase in the flag-down rate amid rising fuel prices.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Executive Director Emmanuel Mahipus Wednesday told reporters at a forum in Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, that a hearing has been set on the matter on Friday.

Quezon City Councilor Jesus Suntay, who is also the president of Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, said in the same forum that the P10 hike would help them cope with rising gas prices.

“We considered the fact that any fare increase would be hard on passengers. This amount will have the smallest effect on the riding public,” said Suntay.

He pointed out that taxi fare rates have not gone up since 2003, when fuel prices were pegged at P34 per liter.

Today, gas prices have gone up to P60 per liter, but the taxi flag-down rate has remained at P30.

Mahipus said the LTFRB is still studying the petition. He noted, however, that should it be approved, the P10 would be added to the passenger’s total fare, not just the flag-down rate.

For example, he said, if a passenger’s fare costs P100, as shown in the meter, he would have to pay P110.

Applying the P10 additional fare to the final meter reading, Mahipus said, would help taxi operators cut down on recalibrating costs. Taxi meters would have to be recalibrated if the increase is added to the flag-down rate.