LTFRB tackles petition for fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday tackled the petition of transport groups seeking to bring back the minimum jeepney fare to P7.50. A GMA Flash report said the Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) sought to remove the provisional fare rollback implemented last February following the series of oil price increases. If approved the minimum fare for jeepney would go back to P7.50 from the current P7. During the hearing, the Metro Manila Bus Operators Associations also said they would push through with their petition to increase the fare for ordinary and air conditioned buses by P4. LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing said his agency would come up with a decision after weighing the arguments raised by both sides of the issue. Earlier Wednesday, the three giant oil firms – Pilipinas Shell, Petron Corp., and Chevron Philippines - and an independent oil player SeaOil increased their gas prices by P0.50 per liter. This has been the third time they increased petroleum prices this month. Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV