Amid rising pump prices, DOTr says no to fare hike

A jeepney passenger paying her fare. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is opposing proposals to increase the minimum fare in public transportation.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s address to the nation aired Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said implementing a fare hike will also affect the inflation rate.

“Kaya nga ang position ng Department of Transportation ngayon, ‘yung Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, ay hindi ho magtaas ng fare hike,” Tugade said.

(The position of the Department of Transportation is to not increase the fare.)

“Kasi ‘yung impact ng fare hike… tatamaan ho ‘yung tinatawag natin na inflation rate. Kaya ang position namin, ‘wag kayo magtaas ng pasahe, tanggapin ang ayuda, gamitin ‘yung subsidiya,” he added.

(Because the impact of the fare hike… it will affect our inflation rate. So, our position is do not increase the fare, accept aid, and use subsidies.

Last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the minimum fare stays at P9 for now and the petition for a provisional P1 increase is up for resolution.

Currently, the LTFRB is giving each public utility vehicle operator P6,500 in fuel subsidy.

The LTFRB likewise appealed to the Department of Budget and Management to release the fund for the Service Contracting Program to further cushion the impact of rising fuel costs.

The Service Contracting Program is an initiative wherein public utility vehicle drivers and operators will receive a weekly performance-based incentive based on the number of trips made.

Oil companies set the biggest increase in fuel prices this week.

/MUF