CERES Liner buses are not yet imposing any fare rate hike despite the continuing increases in the prices of petroleum products.
Jade Marquez, legal and media relations officer of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) that operates Ceres buses, said the public will be properly informed once there is any rate adjustment.
She said the company is also affected by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and the surging prices of petroleum products.
Marquez, however, said that the firm could not just implement any fare rate increase because they have to conform with the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, which it is affiliated.
Meanwhile, the bus company has not retrenched any employee despite the previous obstacles and challenges brought about by the pandemic and the recent fuel price increases, Marquez said.
At present, she said, although the buses are not yet on full capacity and plying various routes on special operations permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the management is making sure that the employees receive compensation.
Seballos made the statement amid the Senate Committee on Energy report that around 26,000 provincial bus workers including drivers have lost their jobs since only a limited number of buses are being dispatched in light of the continuing increase in fuel prices.