ORGANIZATIONS of drivers and operators in Negros Occidental are closely monitoring the fuel price trend following the increase in prices effective Tuesday.
Federation of Bacolod City Drivers Association (Febacda) Elizabeth Katalbas said they are not yet thinking of taking back the 50-centavo fare reduction because the increase imposed by oil companies has no significant effect yet on the take-home pay of drivers.
The 50-centavo provisional decrease in fare rate was approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) following the series of fuel price rollbacks.
Katalbas said at this point, some operators and drivers have not secured the fare matrix released by the LTFRB.
She added that Febacda is in consensus with two other major transport groups United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc) and Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators-Negros (SSTONE) to come up with a common stand on fares when the situation warrants.
The LTFRB also assured the transport sector that they will act on fare hike petitions if the prices of fuels continue to increase.
Prices of diesel fuel is now pegged at P26 to P28 per liter while unleaded gasoline is now priced at P37 to P39 per liter following the price increase imposed by oil companies on Tuesdays.
The 50-centavo fare rollback in Western Visayas took effect last month – from P7.50 to P7 for regular passengers. For students, disabled persons and senior citizens, the discounted fare of P6.40 has been reduced to P6.
Jessie Ortega, secretary-general of SSTONE, had earlier said the reduction should only be temporary because the rollback in the price of fuels may also be temporary only.