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Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Transport groups want to increase fares by P1
THE Inter-City Bus Operators Association (Interboa) on Monday launched a move to petition the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a one-peso increase in bus fare.
Citing the recent increase in prices of fuel, particularly diesel, Interboa spokesman Angie Gonzales said their group is set to ask LTFRB Chairman Helen
Bautista to set a hearing on their petition.
Gonzales said Interboa was not included in the P15.50 subsidized rate per liter that the government granted jeepney drivers, which is why the group continues to reel from the impact of the oil price increase.
Meanwhile, The Department of Energy (DOE) said it was supporting efforts by transport groups to operate their own fuel stations to cushion the effect of rising oil prices.
Energy Usec. JV Emmanuel de Dios said associations of public utility vehicle operators and drivers could do this by entering into joint ventures with willing oil companies; forming cooperatives that would run fuel distribution businesses, and taking advantage of the DOE's 300-million peso training and loan fund for operating fuel stations.
De Dios said the groups could temper the effect of rising prices by availing themselves of bulk rates if they had their own fuel stations.
De Dios cited initial successes in such efforts when, last year, some jeepney groups based in Manila, Mandaluyong and Quezon cities were able to set up
tank-and-pump facilities in their terminals.
The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (Fejodap), Pasang Masda and Altodap enjoyed bulk rates that enabled them to sell gasoline to their members at rates lower than prevailing pump prices.
"We are also inviting transport groups to apply for eligibility in our Gasoline Station Training and Loan Fund program," De Dios said.
The 300-million peso program is provided under the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act, which mandates the release of such an amount from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to help promote retail competition in the oil industry.
Of the amount, P282 million would be used for lending and financial assistance while the remaining P18 million would be used for training and administrative expenses.
A Department Circular issued in May 2002 allowed individuals, partnerships, cooperatives, associations, non-government organizations and corporations to enter into joint venture/supply agreements with independent oil companies for the establishment of refilling stations and the retailing of liquefied petroleum gas.
(January 13, 2004 issue)
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