CENTRAL Visayas is not included in the P2 fare increase for public utility jeepney (PUJ) that was approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday, October 18.

The president of Basak-Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (Balacjoda), Alexander Dometita, described the region’s exclusion as unfair.

The LTFRB approved the fare increase petition of drivers in Manila which was submitted in September last year.

But the petition that Balacjoda submitted last April 20, 2017 asking for a P1.50 increase in the minimum fare and an amended petition submitted last January 19 to make P12 as the mninimum fare were rejected by the LTFRB. The current minimum fare for PUJs is P6.50.

“Naa silay pinalabi. Nganong wala nila giapil ang Central Visayas nga pareho ra man mi mosaka sad ang gasolina dinhi? Kon mosaka gani ang gasolina sa Manila, mosaka man sab na sa tanang regions. Unya nganong sila ra man ang naay umento? (They are playing favorites. Why did they exclude Central Visayas? Gas prices increase not just in Manila but in other parts of the country too)” said Dometita.

Metudio Belarmino, consultant of Balacjoda and spokesman of Cebu Labor Coalition (Celac), said the LTFRB has already approved several fare increase requests in other regions, while drivers in Central Visayas have not enjoyed any fare increase for so long now that they could no longer remember the last time there was a fare increase in Cebu.

In Mandaue City, a group of tricycle drivers also submitted a position paper to the Mandaue City Council asking for an increase in fare from P8 to P10.

They cited as reasons for their petition the recent increases in the prices of fuel, spare parts, basic commodities and the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Law.

Tricycle drivers drove their units in front of the City Hall. With them were members of Piston, an organization of drivers.

While the drivers gathered in front of the City Hall, their leaders went inside and submitted their petition to Councilor Elstone Dabon, the chairman of the council committee on transportation. (SCG/FMMD)