Local groups junk fare hike proposal

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan and Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Local transport coalitions are firmly standing against a proposed fare increase for traditional jeepney units.

The Western Visayas Transport Coalition (WVTC) expressed its contention against the fare hike from ₱13 to ₱15 suggested by the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) earlier this week.

WVTC President Raymundo Parcon, in an interview with Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo on Wednesday, April 10, said that there is no need to raise the minimum fare for jeepneys, citing the price of fuel as unstable.

“We have to note that the price of diesel is unstable. There are weeks that it is soaring, and the following week it will decrease,” Parcon said.

The WVTC president, however, noted that they are monitoring the possibility of fare increases should fuel prices reach between P75 to P80 per liter.

According to the Department of Energy’s Price Monitor for April 2 to 8, diesel in Iloilo City is priced at ₱57.75, with higher-quality diesel plus variants ranging between ₱59.20 and ₱69.55, and fuels with research octane numbers of 91 and 95 both at ₱63.25.

Parcon elaborated on the potential burden on passengers should the fare increase, suggesting that prices could potentially lower in the future, making any immediate fare hike premature.

However, he hinted at possible support for the hike if prices stabilize at higher rates between ₱75 to ₱80.

“Our aim here is to protect our commuters, our residents because once we raise the fare, it becomes difficult to lower it,” Parcon said.

Elmer Forro, a local coordinator for the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, outright rejected the fare increase, advocating instead for the repeal of Republic Act No. 8479 and the suspension of VAT and excise taxes on oil products to reduce fuel costs.

“The transport sector condemns the continued rise of oil, and the government’s insensitivity to stop it. The solution is not fare hikes, but to suspend VAT and excise taxes which may decrease oil prices by ₱20.00,” Forro said via text message.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 6 legal officer Atty. Salvador “Jun” Altura told Daily Guardian that they have not so far received a petition for an increase among transport groups in the region.

“None that I know. Usually, this type of petition is filed with our Central Office where it is considered and decided in consolidation with other similar petitions,” he said in a Viber message.

MIXED REACTIONS

Traditional jeepney drivers and commuters in Iloilo have differing views on the idea of increasing the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys from P13 to P15.

Joenvic Licanda, a member of the WVTC and has been driving a jeepney for 15 years now, told Daily Guardian that he is in favor of a fare increase.

“Pabor gid ako kay makabulig gid ni sa amon. Kung maka-10 ako ka trip makakuha ako P1,600 pero ang mapuli ko sa mga 500 kay kamahal sang gasolina,” he said.

[I am in favor because it will greatly help us. If I make 10 trips, I earn P1,600, but I only get around P500 in profit because of the high cost of gasoline.]

Roldan Licanda, plying the SM City Proper route, echoed the same sentiment.

“Ang gasolina wala naganubo, permi lang nagasaka. Kung P15 pwede gid kay kamahal sang mga balaklon kay kataas man sang inflation,” he said.

[The price of gasoline hasn’t gone down; it’s always increasing. A P15 fare is necessary because the cost of goods is also high due to inflation.]

On average, Roldan said he earns P2,000 daily, with P1,000 going to his fuel expenses.

While jeepney drivers highly favored the hike, Ilonggo commuters said the P2 increase is already a significant amount to them.

Lyca, an employee of a stall at SM City Iloilo, stressed that the P2 increase in the minimum fare would be a burden to her as a minimum wage earner.

“Kung magsakay ko back and forth, that’s 26 pesos and kung mag P30 na, daw kadako na gid. Pwede ko pa na mabakal rice,” she said.

[If I ride back and forth, that’s 26 pesos, and if it becomes P30, it’s too much. I could buy rice with that money.]

Janine Perez, a call center agent, also thumbs down the proposal for an increase, but emphasized that she understands the plight of the jeepney drivers.

“Mainchindihan ko man ang ginaduso nila kag dako naman ni nga baylo kay grabe man ila sakripisyo kapin pa nga grabe subong ang init,” she said.

[I understand what they’re going through, and this would be a significant change because of their sacrifices, especially with the extreme heat now.]

SUBSIDY

The discussion on fare hike stemmed from the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines’ (ALTODAP) petition seeking for an increase in the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys amid price hike on petroleum products.

The petition is already subject for resolution but the agency has yet to issue a decision, according to ALTODAP.

As the debate continues, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) spokesperson Celine Pialago has confirmed that the board will be thoroughly evaluating ALTODAP’s petition.

Amidst this contention, the LTFRB awaits a decision on a ₱1.6-billion subsidy fund from the Department of Transportation, which aims to support various public transport operators and drivers, including a provision for modern jeepney operators, bus and taxi operators, delivery riders, and tricycle drivers.

Pialago labeled the potential subsidy as a “holistic approach” orchestrated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the DOTr, with a plan to distribute the funds as soon as they become available.