Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda implored the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to adjust the fare rates for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in the city so as not to put PUJ drivers commissioned for special trips during the community quarantine period at a disadvantage.
Under the LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020-17 which was made effective on May 1 in areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), the minimum fare for every passenger in jeepneys is fixed at P9.00 with P1.50 added for every succeeding kilometer.
Engr. Lalaine Sobremonte, Officer-in-Charge of LTFRB-CAR Regional Office, explained that MC No. 2020-17 will remain to take effect whether the GCQ will be extended in the city on June 1 or downgraded to a more lenient measure.
Tabanda, Chairperson of the Committee on Laws, Human Rights, and Justice, urged Sobremonte to look into the possibility of adjusting the prevailing fare rate for jeepneys in order to address the plight of the transport group in the city.
According to Tabanda, the fare rate is “not realistic” as public transportation is currently operating in a limited capacity pursuant to the physical distancing protocol. Under the same memorandum circular, the passenger load must not exceed half of the jeepney’s actual capacity.
Tabanda asserted that the imposed jeepney fare rate may be favorable to the commuters but is burdensome on the part of the public transport providers who are also reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.
“I suggest you make a study regarding this. If you hear the plight of drivers, you will agree that their income under this fare rate is not enough for their vehicle maintenance and expenses,” Tabanda said.
Earlier, the city council had passed a resolution requesting the LTFRB to work towards an equitable fare rate beneficial to both PUV providers and commuters during the community quarantine period.
Sobremonte said the city council’s resolution had been forwarded to the LTFRB’s central office for consideration. The central office has yet to respond to the council’s request.
Meanwhile, Rey Bacoco, president of the United Metro Baguio-Benguet Jeepney Federation, reasoned that PUJs plying routes covering a distance beyond 4 kilometers are the ones affected the most by the prevailing fare rate.
Councilor Joel Alangsab, member of the Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Traffic Legislation, reminded the transport group that they cannot impose increased special fares as it is not sanctioned by the local nor the national government.
To compensate the jeepney drivers for their income loss in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city government has approved a subsidy worth P300.00 for each day they are allowed to ferry passengers.
Representatives of the transport group, however, said the amount of the subsidy is not sufficient to recoup their vehicle maintenance and fuel expenses.
“It is not enough to compensate for the losses of jeepneys, but still we are very thankful for that kasi at least, meron. Kaysa naman sa wala,” Bacoco explained.** Jordan G. Habbiling
