ILOILO City – Transport groups in this city have renewed their appeal for a fare increase as another looming spike in fuel prices driven by renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threatens to further squeeze public utility vehicle operators and could eventually force them to reduce the number of jeepneys on the road.
Industry leaders said diesel prices are expected to jump by P10 to P11 per liter beginning today, July 21, while gasoline may increase by P3 to P4 per liter and kerosene by P11 to P12 per liter, based on global oil market movements.
The Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) is urging the government to approve at least a P1 increase in the minimum fare to help offset the anticipated increase in operating costs.
“Naga-ayu kami sang bisan P1 na lang. Importante nga makabato-bato kami sang saka-ay sang diesel. Waay pa natapos ang giyera didto sa Middle East. Sige pa. Kun mag–grabe ang tension didto, grabe man ang saka sang aton gatong,” WVTC president Raymundo Parcon told Panay News.
Parcon said transport groups have not filed a new fare hike petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 because a P4 fare increase petition submitted months ago to the LTFRB Central Office remains pending.
He said that while operators are seeking only a P1 provisional increase, it would still provide much-needed relief amid another round of fuel price hikes that could last for months.
“Ang diesel subong ara sa P73 to P76 per liter. Kun magsaka sang P10, mahimu na nga P83 to P86 per liter. Ang gasoline bati ta P3 ang saka pero ang concern naton is ang diesel kay amo na ang ginagamit naton,” Parcon added.
Despite the expected increase in fuel prices, Parcon assured commuters that all 95 modern jeepney units under the cooperative will continue operating at full capacity to avoid disrupting transportation for students and office workers.
However, he warned that if diesel prices climb to P100 per liter, operators may be forced to cut trips by 30 to 50 percent, similar to measures implemented during previous fuel price spikes.
“Sang nagligad nga binulan, nag-percentage kita sang aton nga biyahe. May ara nga 50 percent and may ara nga 30 percent. Subong, bisan amo ni ang saka sang diesel naton, indi kami magbuhin sang amon units kay tungod abri klasi, 100 percent gabiyahe. Pero kun magsaka ang diesel asta P100, ti mabawasan man ang aton nga operation, indi ta ka 100 percent,” he said.
Prcon added that transport groups are also considering requesting government assistance, including the revival or expansion of fuel subsidy programs for the public transport sector.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB Central Office announced over the weekend that it has recommended to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) the approval of a P1 increase in the minimum fare for public utility vehicles following the anticipated fuel price surge caused by renewed tensions involving the United States and Iran.
LTFRB Chairperson Vigor Mendoza II said the recommendation has already been submitted to the DOTr.
The proposal was first endorsed after fighting erupted in March but was later suspended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in consideration of commuters.
Mendoza said a P1 increase would remain affordable for the riding public.
“If you compute the additional cost for a round trip, I think it remains well within what commuters can afford,” he said.
Mendoza, however, acknowledged that the proposed fare increase alone would not be enough to cushion the impact of soaring fuel prices.
He said the government is also working to expand the existing P10-per-liter fuel discount program, which currently covers some public utility vehicles.
“We hope we can provide more subsidy through the P10-per-liter discount. We want to expand it beyond jeepneys and UV Express units to include taxis, TNVS, buses, and other public transport modes,” Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, the LTFRB has already identified around 1,900 strategically located gasoline stations nationwide that could be included in the expanded fuel discount program./PN
