BY GLENDA TAYONA and IME SORNITO
ILOILO City – Jeepney drivers may start imposing the recently approved new fare rate on Aug. 30, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
But drivers can start securing the new fare matrix beginning today, said Regional Director Richard Osmeña yesterday.
The new minimum fare is P8.50.
LTFRB was able to publish its resolution approving the new fare rate for Iloilo city and province jeepneys on Aug. 14 more than a month after approving the drivers’ fare hike petition in June.
Citing LTFRB rules and regulations, Osmeña said the new fare should be imposed only 15 days after the publication of the resolution.
According to Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA) president Raymundo Parcon, the matrix per jeepney franchise cost P610.
Jeepneys without the new fare matrix are prohibited from imposing the new rate, said Parcon.
“Nalipay kita nga ara na ang ginahulat naton nga taripa,” Parcon told Panay News yesterday.
The previous minimum fare was P6.50 for the first five kilometers and P1.15 for every succeeding kilometer.
LTFRB approved a P2 increase in the minimum fare (this time for the first four kilometers). There is no new rate for succeeding kilometers.
According to Osmeña, the fare matrix must be prominently displayed inside the jeepney so all passengers could see it.
In seeking the fare increase, ICLAJODA and two other 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.
“Our jeepney drivers are happy. The fare increase would somehow ease the financial burdens of their poor families,” said Parcon.
They actually asked for a P5.50 hike but LTFRB-6 recommended only P2.50 to its central office but what was approved was only P2.
The other fare hike petitioners were the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association (ICADA) and the Confederation of Iloilo Provincial Jeepney Owners and Drivers and Association (CIPJODA).
ICADA and ICLAJODA were the two biggest jeepney transport groups in Iloilo City. CIPJODA, on the other hand, was the sole alliance of jeepney operators and drivers in the province of Iloilo.
“A P300 daily income is not enough for a jeepney driver nowadays,” said Parcon.
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, in excise tax increment is P7 per liter this 2018, P9 per liter in 2019, and P10 per liter in 2020./PN
