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BY RESEL JOY TIANERO
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ILOILO City – Little to no opposition is expected tomorrow when the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6 holds a public hearing on the proposed 50-centavo increase in the minimum jeepney fare.
Currently, the minimum jeepney fare in Western Visayas is P6.50 for regular passengers and P5 for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA) is seeking the increase, citing the series of hikes in the prices of fuel since October last year. It filed a petition November last year yet.
According to Atty. Jose Marie Lamparero, regional spokesperson of LTFRB-6, he expected no opposition to the fare increase.
Oil price increases were too much for jeepney drivers to bear, according to ICLAJODA president Raymundo Parcon.
Last month, the LTFRB central office approved a P1 increase on minimum fares for all jeepneys operating in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.
In Western Visayas, however, the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) Panay chapter is against a P1 increase in the jeepney fare.
According to Piston Panay chairperson Edgar Salarda, a P1 increase is too much for the commuting public.
“A P7 minimum fare is already okay with us. This would just be a return to the previous rate,” said Salarda.
His group also proposed alternatives to ease the burden of drivers – scrap the taxes in diesel and gasoline, and giving subsidy to jeepney drivers.
It was only recently that the LTFRB central office ordered public hearings on the proposed jeepney fare increase in Western Visayas.
Tomorrow’s hearing is scheduled at 2 p.m. at the LTFRB-6 office in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro district.
Aside from jeepney transport groups, also invited were students, commuters and members of the press, among others.
LTFRB-6 will also be seeking the opinion of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“DTI and NEDA can assess the economic impact a 50-centavo fare increase,” said Lamparero./PN
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