ILOILO City – What’s taking the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) so long to issue a new fare matrix for Iloilo’s public utility jeepneys?
The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA) wanted to know, according to its president Raymundo Parcon.
“The new fare matrix should be released fast,” he stressed, “because fuel prices keep on increasing.”
Today, the jeepney drivers have the opportunity to ask LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III about this. He is meeting them this afternoon in Oton, Iloilo.
On June 22 Parcon confirmed that the LTFRB central office approved the petition for fare increase filed by three Iloilo transport groups – ICLAJODA, the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association (ICADA) and the Confederation of Iloilo Provincial Jeepney Owners and Drivers and Association (CIPJODA).
From P6.50, the minimum fare will be P9 in this city and Iloilo province.
But without a new fare matrix, drivers could not impose the new fare rate, said Parcon.
“Nga-a delayed,” Parcon wondered.
Citing his conversation with LTFRB regional director Richard Osmeña, Parcon said the signatures of the agency’s board members were needed.
“We’ve been waiting for the new fare matrix for over a month now. Nada,” said Parcon.
ICADA and ICLAJODA are the two biggest jeepney transport groups in Iloilo City. CIPJODA, on the other hand, is the sole alliance of jeepney operators and drivers in the province of Iloilo.
The minimum P9 fare is for the first five kilometers, said Parcon. There will be an additional P1 for every succeeding kilometer.
“A P300 daily income is not enough for a jeepney driver nowadays,” said Parcon.
In seeking the fare increase, the petitioners cited the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law’s additional excise tax on petroleum products, basic commodities and vehicle spare parts.
The TRAIN Law sets yearly increments in the excise tax on oil and fuel products until 2020. For diesel, it is P2.50 per liter this 2018, P4.50 per liter in 2019, and P6 per liter in 2020.
For regular and unleaded premium gasoline, the excise tax increment is P7 per liter this 2018, P9 per liter in 2019, and P10 per liter in 2020.
“If there is no increase in jeepney fare our drivers would suffer,” said Parcon. “They won’t be able to sustain the basic needs of their families because their daily collections are no longer enough.”
But he warned jeepney drivers they may be charged with overcharging if they impose the new fare without an official fare matrix from LTFRB./PN
