BACOLOD City – A labor leader in Negros Occidental has said the scheduled increase in the daily minimum wage in Western Visayas could cushion the effect of the looming P2.50 jeepney fare hike to workers in the region.
Wennie Sancho, secretary general of General Alliance of Workers Associations, said in a statement on Tuesday that the effect would not be that much since the pay hike would already take effect by the time the new fare matrix is released.
Wage Order No. 24 issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6 approved an increase of P13.50 to P41.50, which includes cost of living allowance, for private sector workers in Region 6 (Western Visayas).
Wage rates in Western Visayas will now range from P295 to P365, up from the previous P271.50 to P323.50 under Wage Order No. 23.
The wage order will take effect 15 days after publication, which is probably by August 15.
Sancho, a labor representative to the RTWPB-6, however, said an increase in transport fare would trigger price increases in other commodities, particularly those with delivery costs.
If the price of petroleum products will continue to rise, it will create an impact to prices of other goods and services, he added.
“It may have an adverse effect to the consumers, but it is beneficial to the drivers as they have been asking for fare increase amid the rising prices of petroleum products,” Sancho said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) central office has approved the petition of transportation groups in Western Visayas to increase the jeepney fare by P2.50 — from P6.50 to P9.
At present, the rate is P6.50 for regular passengers and P5 for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students.
The transport sector agreed to the proposed P9 minimum fare during a public hearing held in Iloilo City last Feb. 5. (PNA)
