Jeepney fares also drop in 3 more areas

Jeepney fare rollbacks have spread to the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas regions.

In a statement on Sunday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced the provisional reduction by 50 centavos of public utility jeepney (PUJ) minimum fares in these regions.

As with previously announced jeepney fare reductions elsewhere in the Philippines, the jeepney fare cuts in the three

regions are attributed to the continuous decrease of oil prices in the world market, LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said.

With the reduction, the fare for the first four kilometers in Ilocos is now down to P8, from P8.50; and in Cagayan Valley down to P7.50, from P8. The fare for the first five kilometers in Western Visayas is now down to P7, from P7.50.

The fare rate for succeeding kilometers in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley remains at P1.40, and P1.15 in Western Visayas.

The fare cuts were announced following LTFRB public consultations held simultaneously in the three regions on Jan. 16.

Ginez said the LTFRB has ordered its other regional offices to organize similar public hearings in their areas.

The LTFRB noted that diesel prices have dropped nine consecutive times since late last year, bringing the accumulated total net decrease to an average P9.70 per liter.

Last week, the LTFRB also cut PUJ minimum fare rates by 50 centavos in Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas, the same week major oil companies implemented a P1.25 and P1.45 per liter rollback in gasoline and diesel prices, respectively.

It was the third consecutive price cut this year, according to the LTFRB. Jaymee T. Gamil