PAGKAKAISA ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor (Piston) Cebu Chapter has dismissed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) plan to approve the P1 fare hike petition, calling it insignificant and overdue.
The LTFRB is considering the approval of the P1 fare hike by next week, due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel which might affect the global market for petroleum products.
On the other hand, the Marcos Administration assured that the National Government will provide fuel subsidies for the public transport sector adversely impacted by the increasing crude oil prices.
However, Cebu-based traditional jeepney drivers dismissed the potential increase as insignificant, citing the continued rise of fuel prices negates it benefits.
Greg Perez, president of Piston Cebu Chapter, told SunStar Cebu in a text message on June 18, 2025, that the petition for fare hike had been filed a long time ago but was previously ignored.
Perez underscored that a fare increase during this time is no longer significant and will merely go to their taxes. “If we base it on the continuous increase in gasoline prices, it (the fare hike) is really not enough,” he said in Cebuano.
He added that despite the insufficient increase they cannot petition for more as this will also affect the passengers, especially students whose parents do not have sufficient income.
Perez urged the national government to remove the excise tax added to every liter of gasoline and diesel to alleviate the burdens of traditional jeepney drivers and passengers. (Divine Grace Bendanillo, CNU Intern)