By Danielle Tiu
MANILA — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved fare increases for several public transportation services, including jeepneys, buses, airport taxis, and transport network vehicle services (TNVS), citing rising fuel costs.
The adjustment will take effect Thursday.
LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said the decision came after fuel prices surged globally due to tensions in the Middle East.
He noted that diesel prices had already reached P75 to P80 per liter last week.
Mendoza admitted that the board carefully deliberated the decision because of the potential impact on commuters.
“This was among the most difficult decisions we had to make. The proposal was reviewed several times and presented to acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez. We had to recompute our data repeatedly due to adjustments,” he said during a media briefing.
He also pointed out that the unpredictable movement of fuel prices complicated the board’s evaluation.
However, transport groups said the approved fare increase does not adequately address the challenges faced by drivers and operators.
Mar Valbuena, leader of the transport group Manibela, criticized the adjustment, saying it was too small compared to the steep rise in diesel prices.
Meanwhile, Piston president Modesto Floranda said the additional P1 fare would barely improve drivers’ daily earnings.
Floranda reiterated calls for the government to scrap fuel taxes, bring down diesel prices to P55 per liter, and approve a P5 fare increase instead.
ia/