Sunday, June 29, 2008 PUJ drivers modify fare hike petition to P1.75 By Rimaliza Opiña
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) may have issued a P.50 provisional fare increase for the first four kilometers for jeepneys, but drivers in Cordillera want higher fares than what was contained in the petition they filed earlier.
Only recently, the local chapter of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) submitted to the LTFRB an amended petition for fare increase in the Cordillera.
Fejodap chapter president Perfecto Itliong Jr. said that at the time they filed the petition, diesel was sold for P40 per liter.
But even before the LTFRB could render its decision, diesel is sold at close to P50 per liter.
The Fejodap is pushing for a P1.75 increase instead of P1.50 as earlier filed at the LFTRB. But unlike the previous petition, the amended petition has to be brought to Malacañang for the President's approval.
Itliong said some organizations, especially those based in Metro Manila, withdrew their petition after government assured there would a fuel subsidy.
In the case of the Cordillera, he said his group is pushing for an increase because fuel consumption in the area is higher, to the region's winding terrain.
