ILOILO City – Transport groups in Western Visayas assailed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for what they branded as a “last-minute reversal,” after the agency shelved fare hike petitions despite earlier consultations and mounting operational costs for jeepney operators.
The frustration stemmed from the DOTr’s announcement of “no fare increase for now” following a recent rollback in diesel prices — an adjustment transport leaders insist is too small and too short-lived to justify freezing fare hike petitions.
Western Visayas Transport Cooperative (WVTC) chairman Raymundo Parcon said operators felt blindsided after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) summoned them in early November for a public consultation, only to later hear through the media that no fare hike would be approved.
“Disyamado kita. Ginpara-patawag pa kita nila sang nagligad nga bulan para sa public consultation. Ginkuha nila ang aton reaction regarding sa saka sang diesel kag kon ano ang proposal naton sa Western Visayas,” Parcon told Panay News.
Proposed fare hikes
During the consultation, transport groups proposed the following adjustments:
* for modern jeepneys – minimum fare from P15 to P18 (+P3) for the first four kilometers, and from P2.20 to P2.50 (+₱0.30) for every succeeding kilometer
* for traditional jeepneys – minimum fare from P13 to P15 (+P2) for the first four kilometers, and from P1.50 to P2.00 (+₱0.50) for every succeeding kilometer
Parcon said the proposals reflected increases in minimum wage, fuel, and the sharply rising cost of spare parts.
“May roll back tuod pero indi katama kadaku… ang piyesa sang salakyan nagsalalaka man ilabi na ang rueda subong daw sobra P200 ang saka kada unit,” he added.
Possible 2026 re-filing of fare hike petition
Because the DOTr deferred action, Parcon said transport groups will convene in early 2026 to discuss next steps, including the possibility of re-filing their fare hike petition.
He emphasized they purposely did not join the Dec. 9–11 national transport strike.
“Ma–move lang kami legal… waay kami nagakontra kundi naga ayu kami nga dugang-dugangan man ang pletehan naton para indi kami malugi,” he said.
‘The only consistent thing is their inconsistency’
Perfecto Yap, adviser to Joroshely Transport Services and consultant to the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations Inc. (WVATCCI), was more direct in criticizing the DOTr.
“Tani DOTr should be consistent. The only consistent with this agency is they’re being inconsistent. Duso-butong gawa nila pirme,” Yap said.
He argued that weekly small fuel price rollbacks do not solve operators’ long-term financial strain.
“Bisan ano nga rollback… it’s only good for a week… history would tell ang ila rollback is actually lesser than the total amount nga gin-increase nila,” he added.
Yap urged the government to find a balanced approach that does not burden commuters but also does not drive operators to financial loss.
DOTr: Not the right time for a fare increase
DOTr acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez earlier said: “Ngayon, walang fare increase.”
He clarified that petitions for a P1- to P2-hike in minimum fares were not dismissed, only deferred, citing recent calamities affecting the country as justification.
Lopez also said the DOTr and LTFRB would intensify their anti-colorum campaign, noting that illegal PUVs take away an estimated 30% of the daily income of legitimate drivers and operators.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy expects another ₱0.45/L diesel rollback next week, though transport groups argue this does not meaningfully offset rising costs./PN
