The Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) will file a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a P6 increase fare hike for public utility jeepneys (PUJs), making the minimum fare P15.
WVTC president Raymundo Parcon cited the skyrocketing prices of petroleum products as the primary reason why they are pushing for the increase from the current minimum jeepney fare of P9.
Since the start of the year, pump prices of petroleum products have already increased by an average of P28 per liter.
Diesel prices rose by P30.30 per liter, gasoline went up by P23.85 per liter, kerosene increased by P27.65 per liter.
Parcon said many jeepney drivers are struggling to cope with the continuous increase in fuel prices.
“Sige ang taas ang gatong, ang income nila kada adlaw daw halos wala na bilin kag daw husto nalang sa pangtughong makadto. Mahatag pa sila sa operators,” he lamented.
WVTC and the Iloilo City Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association are set to file the petition within this week.
To “help the transport owners, drivers, and commuters who are affected by the health pandemic and rising fuel prices,” the government implemented the “Libreng Sakay (Free Ride)” program.
Oil companies started implementing price hikes after Russia launched military operations to invade Ukraine.IMT
Photo by Ian Paul Cordero/IMT NEWS
