Drivers need new matrix to get P8 minimum fare

CEBU, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas yesterday clarified that only public utility jeepneys (PUJs) with the new fare matrix are entitled to collect the new minimum fare.

The agency made the clarification after announcing Monday that the new base fare for PUJs in the region is now P8 effective immediately.

“Dili g’yud sila pwedeng mag-collect kung walay (new) fare matrix. Kung di sila mokuha, nagpasabot na nga dili sila magpa-increase, therefore P6.50 gihapon (They cannot collect the new fare if they have no new fare matrix. If they won’t get the new matrix, that means they do not wish to increase the fare, and thus they should only take P6.50 from passengers),” said LTFRB-7 Director Eduardo Montealto.

He said the riding public may report to his office those drivers who insist on collecting P8 from passengers even if they do not have the new matrix. His office is located at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City. The public can text the number 09177046862.

He advised commuters to indicate in their complaint the plate number of the PUJ of the erring driver, the place and time of the incident, the name of the complainant, as well as his or her contact number.

Violating drivers will be fined P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 and suspension of their franchise for 30 days for second offense, and P15,000 and possible cancellation of their franchise for the third offense.

The decision to raise the minimum PUJ fare in the region was contained in an LTFRB resolution dated April 24 and signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, OIC executive director Ronaldo Corpus, and board member Antonio Gardiola Jr.

The provisional P1.50 increase in the minimum fare stemmed from the request of 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK), which cited the “constant rise in the prices of diesel” as among the reasons why fares need to be adjusted.

LTFRB said it found out during its review that Central Visayas has not been granted a fare hike since 2016 “despite drastic increases in the diesel pump.”

However, because the fare hike is only “provisional,” it may be lifted anytime depending on the assessment of the agency, said Montealto. — John M. Destacamento, Assignments Editor BRP (FREEMAN)