LTFRB decision on 50-centavo provisional jeepney fare hike out this week

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will decide within the week whether or not to approve the provisional 50-centavo fare hike being sought by jeepney transport groups nationwide.

At Monday’s Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel, LTFRB spokesperson Sonia del

Mundo said that officials of the transport board and Department of Transportation and Communications earlier informed the representatives of public utility jeepney organizations that they would make a decision this week because of the urgency of the matter.

The provisional fare hike is in response to the P2 increase being sought by the transport groups. The petition is still pending before the LTFRB.

Del Mundo said that a hearing had been set on the matter to discuss data to be presented by the Departments of Trade and Industry and of Energy regarding movements in the prices of vehicle spare parts and fuel products.

According to her, should the LTFRB approve the provisional fare hike, it may take effect immediately.

Asked if the move was aimed at putting an end to the protests being conducted by transport groups nationwide, Del Mundo replied: “It is okay to protest as long as they do not stage a strike.”

She explained that if transport groups were to go on strike, they would be violating their certificate of public convenience. In addition, the privilege or franchise granted to their operators may be suspended or revoked, she told reporters.

Last week, members of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide (Piston) staged a transport caravan, which started in Quezon City and ended up in front of the offices of the so-called “Big 3” oil players in Makati City, to express their opposition to the series of hikes in the prices of petroleum products.

Aside from calling for a P9 price rollback, Piston also sought the repeal of the oil deregulation law and the suspension of the 12-percent Value Added Tax imposed on fuel products.