Jeepney drivers, move for reconsideration
Cordillera transport groups demand inclusion in the provisional fare increase of P1 as ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) last June 9, 2022.
Those allowed such increase are those in Metro Manila, Regions 3, and Region 4.
The P1 increase was due to the continuous increases of oil and other petroleum products. Thus, minimum fare now is P10 for the first four kilometers.
Taxi drivers also requested for an increase of 10 to 20 pesos on top of the P35.00 flag down. .
Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) President of Cordillera and Region 1, Patricio Evangelista, expressed his disappointment towards the non-inclusion of the Cordillera and other regions. He said, highland drivers are suffering more than those in the lowlands because of the geographical features of the region causing them to spend more on fuel and spare parts.
In addition, highland jeepney drivers have to pay high “boundaries” to their jeepneys’ operators. These are forcing them to seek other sources of income.
“Narigat mahabol ti boundary uray ag-double time kami,” expressed Cliford Lipayso, a jeepney driver in La Trinidad.
The data of LTOP show 50% of the jeepney drivers and operators voluntarily stopped their operations, especially those who did not receive financial subsidy from the government.
Evangelista also said that the government-subsidized Libreng Sakay program had affected regular drivers since commuters would prefer to ride on a free fare vehicle. To date, LTFRB added more routes in La Trinidad and Baguio covered by the Libreng Sakay thus making the burden of transport groups heavier.
“Kala awan lang pay met [start of the Libreng Sakay program]… ngem nu manayunan awan a maguyod ti pasaheros… idi libreng sakay kami met kuma (The effect of the Libreng Sakay program is not felt now but if more Libreng Sakay buses will be added, we will have less passengers. In that case, it is better to be part of the Libreng Sakay),” commented Lipayso.
On the other hand, among the commuters on the Libreng Sakay bus, Kate Kimpay, an employee working at Baguio City said, “actually isupay nga kabawasan ti gastos karkkanyak nga daily ak nga agcom-commute.”
“Ang laking tipid namin dito, 5x a day ata kami sumasakay for 4 days stay namin,” according to Denny Mae, a tourist who posted a viral video on tiktok about her experience on the Libreng Sakay bus.
Also, Catherine Gavia , a tourist from Baler who experienced the Libreng Sakay, added, “Dahil sa libreng sakay, syempre bilang isang turista mababawasan na ang travel expenses naming sa paglibot-libot dito sa city kasi instead na gagastusin naming sa transportation, pwede na naming ibili ng pagkain o kaya souvenir.”
From the previous years, LTOP expressed their disappointment through Evangelista who stated that they had been consistent in sending petitions prior to the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war because of the same reasons.
However, in an interview last June 14, LTFRB Chair Martin Delgra III stated that they had coordinated with the Department of Energy in addressing the issues and don’t want to interfere with how the board will decide on the pending issues because everything is still being discussed.** Ezra James Felix
