Fare hikes still needed even with aid, subsidies – DOTr

Metro Manila, Philippines – Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said fare increases are still needed even with the rollout of cash aid and fuel subsidy as soaring pump prices cripple the transport sector.

Lopez said transport groups may continue to file fare hike petitions as gasoline may cost P91 per liter this week and nearly P115 for diesel.

“Kailangan pa rin ang fare hike [The fare hike is still needed] for sustainability and stability later on,” Lopez said in a briefing on Monday, March 15.

The government will begin paying out ₱5,000 in cash relief assistance to tricycle drivers in Metro Manila on Tuesday. Fuel subsidies will be given to the rest of the transport sector next week.

Lopez admitted that based on their computations a ₱10,000 subsidy will only last for two weeks.

He said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be announcing the provisional and permanent fare increases for modern and traditional jeepneys, P2P, and metro buses on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, the LTFRB announced the effectivity of the provisional fare increases in provincial buses ranging from ₱0.35 to ₱1.

“We really have to strike a balance between approving and giving a fare hike

and also the capability of commuters to pay the supposed fare hike,” Lopez said.

“‘Yong presyo ng pamasahe kailangan reasonable at kaya ng ating commuters,” he said.

[Translation: The fare should be reasonable and affordable for our commuters.]

Finalizing rollout for aid, fuel subsidies 

The LTFRB is expected to finalize the lists of drivers and operators across transport modes, especially outside Metro Manila, by Tuesday, to fast-track the release of assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will give the ₱5,000 cash assistance to 139,000 tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region until Thursday.

The next target will be jeepney drivers in the region next week.

The aid will also be given to motorcycle taxi drivers, TNVS, and delivery riders. Lopez said the beneficiaries could reach up to 200,000.

If the notice of cash allocation for the fuel subsidy program worth P2.5 billion will be issued in the coming days, he said the DOTr may give the subsidies also next week. The amount per transport mode is still under study.

LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the Transportation Department is talking with tollway operators to lower the toll as well as with transportation network companies to lower commission charges.

Lopez said the relaunch of the “Libreng Sakay” program nationwide by the second week of April is under study.