Aquino invites transport groups to meeting over gas price hikes

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino has invited leaders of public transportation groups to a meeting next week to address issues brought about by the incessant increases in the prices of petroleum products, Malacañang announced Friday.

Deputy Palace spokesperson Abigail Valtes indicated no promise from the administration was forthcoming  pending the discussions between the President and the leaders of the transport sector.

Asked about the government giving another tranche of the fuel subsidy for public transportation, Valte said she had yet to receive any advisory on that.

“The aim of the meeting is for the President to listen to them and to hear their concerns, and from that, we might see how we can address their concerns,” Valte said at Friday’s news briefing in Malacañang.

Valte said the Department of Energy was the agency that will coordinate with the transport groups in connection with the meeting next week.

“We have no advisory on whether there will be a second tranche of the Pantawid Pasada Program. But it will depend on what will be taken up when the President meets with the leaders of the transport groups,” Valte said.

Asked whether the past implementation of the fuel subsidy was a success, Valte said, “We can see the success of the Pantawid Pasada because they didn’t ask for a fare increase until the recent events.”