ILOILO City — Transport groups in Western Visayas lashed out at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for scrapping an already-approved fare hike, warning that the reversal leaves drivers and operators absorbing rising fuel costs while their daily earnings dwindle to near nothing.
Transport leaders said the presidential decision came at the worst possible time, with another round of fuel price increases expected, further tightening the financial squeeze on public transport operators.
“Malabo.” Unclear. This is how transport groups described President Marcos’ decision to withdraw the fare hike that was supposed to take effect yesterday, March 19.
According to Perfecto Yap, chairperson of the Association of Taxi Operators of Panay, Inc. (ATOP) and spokesperson of the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations, Inc. (WVATCCI), the move fails to address the real problem — surging fuel prices.
“Malabo in the sense nga ang krudo kag gasoline matimbuok naman,” he said.
“If there will be any relief, it will come too late, when what is needed now is immediate support so land transport can continue operating. What should have been done was to freeze fuel prices instead of stopping the fare hike, because that increase is long overdue. Drivers and operators have been carrying this burden for the past three weeks, and then you withdraw even a P1 or P2 increase — what real effect does that have, even for commuters?” Yap further said in Hiligaynon.
Yap stressed that without immediate intervention, many operators are left with no viable way to sustain operations.
“What kind of businessman would continue operating when you’re already losing money the moment you start the trip?” Yap added.
He further explained that public utility vehicles cannot simply increase passenger loads due to regulatory limits, while modern jeepneys face higher labor and maintenance costs that eat into already thin margins.
“It’s painful. In fact, most of our members now—whether taxis or modernized jeepneys—end the day with their earnings already depleted after refueling at night. It’s almost zero,” he added.)
Transport groups are now considering formally raising their concerns with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
For his part, Western Visayas Transportation Cooperative (WVTC) president Raymundo Parcon did not hide his frustration, describing the decision as inconsistent and lacking direction.
“Duso-butong.” Flip-flopping, Parcon described the President’s decision.
He said even a minimal increase would have helped keep operations afloat.
“We are getting angry. We were already prepared to implement the fare hike tomorrow, then the President withdraws it—what are we supposed to do now?” Parcon said.
Parcon added that the sector feels abandoned, noting that while fuel subsidies have been promised, these remain insufficient and delayed, offering only temporary relief to a worsening crisis./PN
