No fare hikes shall be implemented for public utility vehicles (PUVs) despite the ongoing PUV modernization program, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.
“Fare increases should undergo thorough study and multiple consultations with concerned agencies,” LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said.
He said any petition for a fare increase must go through the proper process of the LTFRB Board.
Several factors such as inflation and cost of fuel must be considered before the agency approves a new fare increase.
The current minimum fare for traditional jeepneys is still at P13 and P15 for modern jeepneys, Guadiz said.
For its part, the Department of Social Welfare and Development committed to provide assistance to jeepney drivers who will be affected by the implementation of the PUVMP.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the department shall extend much-needed help to affected jeepney drivers, subject to the assessment of DSWD social workers.
“The DSWD is ready to provide assistance to those who will be affected. So far, we have not received any information, but of course, if someone approaches us and requests for assistance, it will be responded to immediately by the DSWD,” Dumlao said in Filipino.
She said the DSWD may provide interventions such as food or cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and livelihood programs under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), provided they are within the criteria of the two programs.
“If they meet the eligibility requirements under our SLP, they are in our LISTAHANAN, or they are among the members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, then they are our priority to be given help under the SLP,” Dumlao added.
As this developed, Senator Grace Poe called on transportation officials to be transparent about the jeepney modernization program.
She urged them to provide data on the impact of the program, including the utilization of a fund worth P200 million for drivers’ livelihood assistance.
Poe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, wants the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to submit comprehensive data on the status and revised timeline of the PUVMP, updated statistics on consolidation of jeepneys, number of routes being serviced, affected routes, and contingency plans.