MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to defer the implementation of recently approved fare increases for public utility vehicles (PUVs), citing the need to ease the burden on commuters amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
In a video message released Wednesday, Marcos said the current situation does not warrant additional fare adjustments, especially as fuel prices remain volatile due to the conflict abroad.
“Dahil may problema pa rin tayo dahil sa gyera sa Middle East, sabi ko siguro hindi ito ang panahon para magtaas ng pamasahe para sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya’t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike. I-defer muna natin ‘yan,” Marcos said.
The order effectively halts the fare increases earlier approved by transport regulators, which were set to take effect this week and would have covered various modes of public transportation, including jeepneys, buses, and transport network vehicle services (TNVS).
Marcos emphasized the importance of protecting commuters, particularly workers and students, who rely heavily on public transportation for their daily needs.
“I-postpone muna natin ‘yan dahil eh nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong ah sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter, sa lahat ng mga ating manggagawa, estudyante, lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,” he added.
The President also assured transport operators and drivers that the government will step in with additional support measures to help offset the impact of rising fuel costs.
“Mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman ay hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan,” he said.
Earlier, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare hikes across most PUVs due to increasing fuel prices and operational expenses, driven in part by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The adjustments included increases in base fares and per-kilometer charges for jeepneys and buses, as well as higher rates for TNVS and airport taxis.
The government has since rolled out fuel subsidies and is preparing expanded assistance programs for transport workers, alongside possible free ride initiatives, to cushion the effects of rising oil prices on both drivers and commuters./PN
