Transport groups boycott LTFRB hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Several transport groups boycotted the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s hearing yesterday, citing the LTFRB’s dismissal of “any form of petition for fare hikes” despite the high prices of fuel.

Liga ng Transportasiyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP) president Orlando Marquez Sr. said he, together with representatives of Pasang Masda, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Associations of the Philippines and the Stop and Go Transport Coalition opted out of the hearing.

Last week, the LTFRB scrapped the transport groups’ petition to increase the minimum fare to P10.

“We did not have to face them because they’ve already stated that they would not entertain any kind of fare increase that would be filed. So we boycotted the scheduled hearing,” Marquez said.

Transport groups believe that the LTFRB will also reject their petition to raise the minimum fare to P15.

Marquez accused the LTFRB of leaving the fate of jeepney drivers and operators to the “insufficient” fuel subsidy and “selective” service contracting program.

While they boycotted the LTFRB hearing, Marquez said the LTOP would not withdraw its fare hike petitions.