Public utility jeepney drivers wait for passengers on street in Manila on October 9, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Wednesday said he has given the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) one month to come up with a recommendation on pending petitions for fare increases, as fuel prices continue to rise.
Lopez said the LTFRB should continue its hearings on the petitions while the government weighs other measures to help transport groups cope with higher fuel costs.
“Ang sabi ko sa LTFRB, hopefully, by next month meron na kaming magandang rekomendasyon. I think that’s enough time for us also to weigh things,” he said.
Lopez said the government needs to strike a balance between helping transport operators and protecting commuters from higher fares, which could also contribute to inflation.
“Hindi pa naman po sinasabing na wala nang pag-increase ng pamasahe. Ang sinasabi lang namin ngayon gumagawa pa kami ng other initiatives sa government. Kailangan naming saluhin. The government should shoulder basically the problem at hindi kasi kailangan ipasa sa mga commuters,” Lopez said.
For instance, Lopez said the DOTr is studying ways to expand its fuel assistance to more public utility vehicle (PUV) operators like tricycles and to include other types of petroleum products other than diesel.
So far, Lopez said the fuel discount has already been increased to P12 per liter, which translates to savings of about P1,800 per week for jeepney drivers and operators.
P12 per liter fuel discount for PUVs begins
“Ang pinag-aaralan natin is how to include to cover the other modes of transportation, especially kasi na yung fuel discount natin is limited to diesel. Titingnan natin paano natin maisama yung ibang (petroleum products),” Lopez said.
Gov't to start distributing subsidy for modern jeep operators
DOTr seeks funding for transport programs
Lopez also said the DOTr will continue to seek funding for its fuel subsidy and other transport programs during the congressional budget hearings.
The agency had requested P5 billion for the fuel subsidy program and P1.7 billion to rehabilitate 12 EDSA Busway stations, but the proposed allocations were not included in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“As to the NEP namin, hindi kami nabigyan ng pondo. Pero alalahanin po natin, meron tayong mga pagdinig sa Kongreso at Senado kasi doon niyo po pinaglalaban yung budget. And at the end of the day, ang nagbibigay po ng budget, ang GAA (General Appropriations Act) natin, ay within the power of legislature,” he said.
Lopez said other DOTr initiatives with zero funding under the 2027 NEP include the Public Transport Modernization Program, service contracting, and active transport projects.
“Patuloy naming ipaglalaban na kailangan ng mga ganitong programa,” Lopez said.