The transport group Pasang Masda on Saturday said it will ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a provisional fare increase of P1.
Pasang Masda president Obet Martin also said if the prices of petroleum products normalize, the provisional P1 fare increase will be recalled.
Oil firms recently implemented a new round of price hikes for diesel products earlier this month.
Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero, quoted by GMA News Online, however, said that the prices of diesel may have no adjustment or will have a rollback of P0.20 per liter this coming week.
Other transport groups Manibela and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) meanwhile clarified that they were not seeking a fare hike, but the junking of the Oil DeregulationLaw and the excise tax on fuel.
Manibela President Mar Valbuena in a radio interview on Super Radyo dzBB, confirmed that the group is not asking for the fare hike.
Valbuena said there is already a memorandum circular from the LTFRB indicating an automatic fare adjustment if there are movements in the prices of oil.
PISTON also reiterated that rollbacks on oil and fuel taxes would be helpful for drivers and operators.
“Sa ngayon, halos P250 kada araw ang nawawalang kita ng mga driver dahil sa mataas na presyo ng petrolyo… Kung kami ay nakaka-30 liters
per day sa loob ng 25 days, halos 7,000 pesos ang nawawalang kita sa loob ng 25 days.” PISTON National President Mody Floranda said on
Super Radyo dzBB.
According to Manibela, the provision of an adequate fuel subsidy at the soonest possible time would be the best solution to the issue.