MANILA -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Thursday that the proposed public utility vehicle (PUV) fare hike remains suspended.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said one of the agency's key considerations is the country's current 6.2 percent inflation rate, warning that increasing fares could further drive up the prices of goods and services.
"Alam natin kapag nagtaas tayo ng pamasahe it adds to inflation. Pag nagtaas po tayo ng pamasahe, hindi lang po magtataas ang inflation, automatic na rin po magtaas na rin ang presyo ng sebisyo ng mga bilihin. Kasi nga po ang transportation is not about moving people only, we also move commodities," Lopez said.
Despite the suspension, the DOTr clarified that hearings on the fare hike petition will continue.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has yet to provide a definite timeline on when it will submit its recommendation to Malacañang regarding the proposed fare increase, saying a series of hearings with various government agencies and commuter groups is still required.
"Normally, pag wala nang mga tanong sasubmit po samin 'yan. It will take us a couple of weeks one or two to submit our recommendation to the department," said LTFRB Chairman Asec. Vigor Mendoza.
Meanwhile, the DOTr announced several measures to help ease the burden on public transport operators and drivers such as the inclusion of transport groups in the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) UPLIFT Assistance Program, which provides P2,000 per family; and the extension of waiving of PITX terminal fees for PUVs until the end of the year.
Other measures include toll discounts or exemptions for provincial buses; waiving of monthly terminal fees at 86 SM public transport terminals nationwide; and the release of P1.5 billion for the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) amortization assistance for PUV operators.
But transport group MANIBELA expressed disappointment over the agency's decision not to approve the fare increase.
"Medyo dissapointed talaga kaya tayo nanawagan ng transport strike kasi para maibigay ang fare hike na hinihingi natin. Gayunpaman yung inisyatiba na binigay ng DOTr af LTFRB ay malugod naming talagang tinatanggap," said Manibela President Mar Valbuena.
The DOTr also explained that not all types of PUVs are covered by the P12 fuel subsidy. According to the agency, the subsidy is limited to 30 liters of fuel per day, making it insufficient for some PUVs, particularly buses that consume larger volumes of fuel.