ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) committee on transportation and public utilities mulls a resolution pushing for fuel subsidy for the transport sector.
Yesterday, committee chair, Councilor Romel Duron conferred with representatives from the local transport and business sectors and those from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in Region 6.
Public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators were calling for a P2.50 increase in fare, citing the high cost of diesel.
“We (will) come up with a resolution for the LTFRB and other concerned agencies nga matagaan discount sa fuel ang transport sector,” said Duron.
“Sang una ang DOTr (Department of Transportation) gahatag fuel discount sa mga franchise holders,” he added. “I think that’s the best solution that will benefit everybody.”
According to Duron, the ongoing “Libre Sakay” service contracting scheme of LTFRB “only benefit(s) a few operators.”
Lea Lara, executive director of the Iloilo Business Club, thumbed down the calls for a P2.50 fare hike.
A P1 fare increase may be “fair”, she said.
The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association, the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association and Iloilo City Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, among others, were pushing for an additional P2.50 in the current fare, or from the P9 minimum to P11.50, and additional P1.50 for the first four kilometers./PN
