Updated (8:02 p.m.)
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday clarified that the fare matrix for jeepney drivers costs only P570, not P610 according to some reports.
LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra said the regulatory fee was per “franchise.” Hence, it would cover more then one jeepney.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source, Delgra explained the cost structure of the fare matrix. He said the “regulatory fee” is P510 while the additional P50 covers the “admin cost” per jeepney.
“There is a regulatory fee as early as 2001. it is a department order which mandates a filing fee or regulatory fee of P510 every time you apply for a fare matrix, but the fare matrix itself would cost only P50 to cover each… it is basically to cover the admin cost,” he said.
Delgra said the regulatory fee was meant to be “remitted to the National Treasury” while the admin cost of P50 is per jeepney unit.
The Department of Transportation then showed in a graphic that an additional P10 will paid for “legal research fee” of every franchise of jeepney.
“Ang mga operator ng jeep ay kailangang magbayad ng P510 para sa rate increase plus P10 legal research fee sa bawat prangkisa (The operators of jeepneys must pay P510 for the rate increase plus P10 legal research fee for every franchise,” it said.
Delgra added that there are features on the fare matrix that would prove that it is an original copy. This way, he said the dissemination of fake fare matrices can be avoided.
“That is precisely why we are putting up some features like the plate number, the original receipt as well as the signature of the authorized LTFRB official, so that it will affirm ito galing talaga sa opisina,” he said.
A fare matrix is required to be posted inside jeepneys before drivers could charge the new P10 minimum fare. Without it, the drivers would be fined for overcharging their passengers.
The P10 minimum fare for jeepneys was approved on Nov. 2, but the LTFRB failed to release fare matrix on the said date due to the Undas break. /ee
READ: Jeepney drivers told: Secure new fare matrix first before charging P10