TRAIN to continue amid jeepney fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — The implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law will push through amid the increase in jeepney fares, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the government is implementing measures to help the poor cope with rising prices of goods, including the unconditional cash transfers and fuel vouchers for jeepney operators. 

The P1 increase for the first four kilometers raised the minimum fare for jeepneys to P9. The fare hike, which was approved on Wednesday by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), covered jeepneys in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon regions.

However, Roque said jeepney fares may still go down if fuel prices decrease. 

“It’s a result of the increase in oil prices but we assure you, if the price of petroleum goes down, there will be corresponding adjustments,” he said.

Critics have blamed the TRAIN law for the rising fuel prices. But officials said the price adjustments were caused by higher oil prices in the international market and a weak peso.

TRAIN, which took effect last January, lowered income tax but slapped new taxes on diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and bunker fuel for electricity generation as well as higher taxes on other oil products.

The law was passed to generate funds for the government’s P8.4-trillion “Build Build Build” infrastructure program.

The government, Roque said, is also importing cheaper diesel from Russia.

“The good news is the implementation of the (importation of) Russian diesel is ongoing. The problem is we don’t have enough depots, but I think the government is encouraging the private sector to build depots because we are focusing on energy security,” he added.