LTFRB urged: Act on fare hike
CEBU, Philippines — The Basak-Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (BALACJODA), the fare hike petitioner, has filed yesterday a motion before Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 for the immediate deliberation of its petition.
“Ni file na mi og manifestation nga dali-on na sa LTFRB among petisyon kay nimahal na sad ang presyo sa lana karon,” said Metudio Belarmino, the consultant of BALACJODA. (We have filed a manisfestation for LTFRB to act on our petition because oil prices have increased again.)
Belarmino said that aside from the daily struggle because of traffic that continues to erode jeepney drivers’ earnings, LTFRB should not dilly-dally their fare hike petition because fuel prices continue to increase.
To recall, BALACJODA filed a P2.50 provisional fare hike petition last year.
“Last year pa na ang among petisyon, unsa na to ron?” Belarmino said.
The minimum fare for jeepneys in Central Visayas will be P9 should the LTFRB board members and the chairman will approve such amount.
Eduardo Montealto, LTFRB regional director, earlier said that he has already made a recommendation to their head office as to the amount of fare increase for Central Visayas.
However, he refused to disclose the amount because their Central Office has the final say.
To date, Central Visayas jeepney’s minimum fare is P6.50 and students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities still enjoy a 20 percent discount.
LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra had said that they have formed a technical working group to study on what formula to use considering the erratic prices of oil in relation to jeepney fare hike.
Meanwhile, Belarmino said that tricycle groups in Danao City are set to file their petition to seek a P2 minimum fare increase for tricycle.
The current minimum fare is P8. — MBG (FREEMAN)
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