ILOILO City – Transport groups across Western Visayas are pressing for a P2 to P3 increase in jeepney fares, warning that operations have become increasingly unsustainable due to surging fuel prices, spare-parts costs, and wages.
The Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) and other regional transport alliances formally proposed the adjustments during a public consultation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Central Office in early November.
WVTC chairman Raymundo Parcon said their proposal seeks a P3 increase in the first four kilometers for modernized jeepneys — from P15 to P18 — and a hike in the succeeding-kilometer rate from P2.20 to P2.50 (an additional 30 centavos).
For traditional jeepneys, the groups are pushing for a P2 increase in the minimum fare —from P13 to P15 — and for an increase in the succeeding-kilometer rate from P1.50 to P2, or 50 centavos more.
Parcon told Panay News the proposals are pending at LTFRB’s Central Office.
“Depende sa ila ang pag-decision sang final amount sang increase,” he stressed.
Why transport groups want higher fares
Parcon said the proposed increase is driven by three major factors:
* Higher wages following the effectivity of Wage Order No. RBVI-29 on November 19, granting a P37 to P40 increase for minimum wage earners.
* Fuel prices now reaching P60 to P63 per liter for diesel and P58 to P59 per liter for gasoline.
* Escalating costs of transportation spare parts, especially for modernized units, which require costly components as they reach their second year of operation.
Perfecto Yap, adviser to Joroshely Transport Services and consultant to WVATCCI, said the fare adjustment is overdue.
“Amo lang na maka-cover sa increase sang krudo ukon gasoline kag ang maintenance grabe doble, labi na gid sa modernized jeepneys like subong nga tiempo kay duha na ka tuig, tion na para mag-ilis sang compressor. Ti ang isa bilog sini nagalab-ot sa P30,000,” Yap told Panay News.
Decision now with DOTr
LTFRB Region 6 legal counsel Atty. Salvador “Jun” Altura confirmed that the agency’s central office has already submitted its recommendation to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Two weeks ago may public consultation kami diri sa stakeholders parti sa pending petition for fare hike. In fact daw naka-submit na ang LTFRB for approval sa DOTr,” Altura said.
LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza earlier confirmed to national media that he had endorsed fare adjustment recommendations — not only for jeepneys but also for provincial and city buses, point-to-point buses, airport taxis, and TNVS (transport network vehicle service).
Mendoza said it is now up to DOTr acting secretary Giovanni Lopez to decide on the “actual adjustments and their timing.”
He signaled, however, that jeepney fare hikes may be minimal, saying diesel prices “have not soared that much” since the last provisional increase in 2023.
For Metro Manila, jeepney groups are seeking adjustments from P13 to P14 and P15 to P16 for modernized units.
Mendoza added that the LTFRB is also tightening its campaign against colorum operations to ensure that legitimate operators get the “maximum number of passengers.”/PN
