DRIVERS in Negros Occidental are still waiting for the go signal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the implementation of the P9 fare increase in public utility jeepneys.

Diego Malacad, secretary-general of United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc), said the fare increase was supposed to be P12 but commuters in Iloilo and other parts of Western Visayas asked to lower it to P9.

The public hearing was already done by the LTFRB in Iloilo on February 5, Malacad said.

Other transport groups in the city, the Federation of Bacolod Drivers Association and Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators ng Negros, have initially asked for P8 increase, but they have already agreed to P9.

The price of diesel fuel is expected to increase Tuesday, March 20, at .60 per liter.

Moreover, Malacad said they did not join the transport strike led by transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide on March 19 because they did not want to interrupt the final examinations of students this week.

Instead, some of the drivers held a picket around 10 a.m. Monday, March 19, to show their support for their mother organization.

Malacad said they are planning to hold "Welga Ng Bayan" in the coming weeks.

The drivers are protesting the jeepney modernization program of the government that will phase out dilapidated PUJs. (TDE)