Sen/ Manny Pacquiao. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao on Monday said he is in favor of increasing jeepney fares amid soaring prices of fuel, saying drivers’ burdens should be eased, too.
He made the remark as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to hear on March 8 petitions to increase the fares of public utility jeepneys.
“Sa tingin ko kung itataas natin ‘yung sahod, itaas din natin ng kaunti ‘yung pasahe para hindi naman mahirapan maghanapbuhay. Kawawa din naman ‘yung mga driver,” he said in an interview.
(I think that if we increase wages, we should also increase the fares so that jeepney drivers would also improve their income from their livelihood. Drivers also need to earn well.)
READ: LTFRB to hear jeepney fare hike petitions on Mar. 8
Transport groups are pushing for an increase of P1 in the minimum fare for jeepneys which is now at P9.
As of February 21, the net cumulative increase in domestic fuel costs has reached P10.85 per liter for diesel, P8.75 for gasoline, and P9.55 for kerosene.
READ: Series of fuel price hikes may dampen recovery of PH economy — economist
As Russia, which accounts for 12 percent of global oil and 24 percent of natural gas production, invades Ukraine, oil prices soared to $100 per barrel.
READ: Russia’s Putin launches invasion of Ukraine
In response to the increasing fuel prices, Pacquiao said the Philippine National Oil Company should have prepared and set aside fuel reserves so that when prices are increasing, fuel products can be subsidized.
READ: Lawmakers propose oil price hike mitigations
READ: Gov’t prepares rules for fuel subsidies
“In case na dumating man ‘yung magmahal ang presyo ng gasolina o fuel, ma-subsidize or magamit ‘yung pondo natin na fuel para hindi mahirapan ‘yung mga motorista,” the incumbent senator said.
(In case of prices increase, we could subsidize or use reserved fuel so that our motorists would not be burdened too much.)
“Dapat may pondo tayo para ilaan doon sa tinatawag nating emergency oil price stabilization fund — to subsidize the ‘yung mga pagtaas ng presyo ng fuel,” he added.
(We should have a budget allocated for the emergency oil price stabilization fund to subsidize the oil price hikes.)
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