CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators in Northern Mindanao (NorMin) have asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a fare increase of as much as PHP5 due to surging inflation and erosion of the purchasing power of their earnings.
Epifanio Tamiok Jr., Transporter Federation Empowerment Council, Inc. (Trafeco) chairman, said the last minimum fare increase was approved in February 2008, but since then, prices of fuel have gone up considerably.
Tamiok said they are appealing to the riding public to understand the reasons behind their fare hike petition.
“For so long a time we have been bearing the brunt of lower fare, but this time we have a compelling reason to ask for an increase,” he said in the vernacular.
Joel Gabatan, National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU) regional chairman, said they are aware that the proposed additional PHP5 is “suntok sa buwan” (a long shot), but they are open to negotiations with the LTFRB.
“We know that it will be hard for the LTFRB to approve it (PHP5). If that cannot be granted, what we want is for our minimum fare to be the same as Manila, which is PHP9,” Gabatan said.
He said they have not pushed hard for a fare increase in the past because they are concerned about the commuters, but now that workers have filed for a wage hike, it is also high time for the transport sector to do the same.
Raul Permites, Coalition of Lanao del Norte Utility Transport for Change (Clutch) chairman, said they don’t want a fare adjustment that is too high as this will also affect their own family members, particularly students, who ride PUJs every day. “We don’t want it (fare hike) to boomerang to us. That’s why we only want a reasonable increase,” he said.
“We hope our petition will be approved. We are also waiting for the ‘Pantawid Pasada,’ at least it will help us cope,” he added, referring to the cash subsidy the government will be providing to PUJ drivers in light of the country’s economic situation.
In their petitions, NCTU, Clutch and Trafeco noted that in the 10 years of no fare increases, prices of fuel and spare parts have continued to go up. This has caused the purchasing power of their daily income to diminish significantly, they explained.
Aminoden Guro, LTFRB-10 regional director, said he will send the petitions of the transport groups to the LTFRB central office.
“It is up to the members of the LTFRB board en banc to review the position papers submitted so they can have a basis for approving the petition for a fare increase in the region,” Guro said.
He said the board en banc can either call for a formal public hearing or forgo it before making the decision. Guro said they expect the LTFRB national office to consult with experts from the National Economic and Development Authority and the energy department before deciding on their petition.
For his part, Guro said the proposed PHP5 increase is “too much,” adding he himself will not recommend a PHP12.50 minimum fare, although he agreed to the suggestion to implement the Manila rate.
He has also clarified that since the fare increase has not yet been approved in Northern Mindanao, drivers and operators caught charging extra will be penalized. (PNA)
