VARIOUS transport unions in Cagayan de Oro City have reached a consensus to begin drafting proposals for a fare hike for public utility jeepneys (PUJs).
Joel Gataban, regional coordinator of the National Confederation of Transport Union in Northern Mindanao (NCTU), said all member organizations have been made to write their respective position papers and petitions for a fare increase.
The NCTU official said they expect to feel the burden of the skyrocketing prices of petroleum products soon as a result of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law.
Gabatan said drivers and operators are urged to affix their signatures to their respective petitions.
The NCTU-Northern Mindanao has about 13 member organizations of jeepney drivers and operators.
But Gabatan said independent transport groups are also welcome to join the move in asking the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Northern Mindanao (LTFRB)-Northern Mindanao for the fare increase.
He said there were already three other independent transport groups that signified their intention to unify with the NCTU.
The group convened last week and agreed that all petitions will be submitted to the officials of NCTU before it will be forwarded to the LTFRB.
Gabatan said the NCTU officials have decided to push for P1 fare hike, but other jeepney drivers and operators are demanding for P10 minimum fare.
"Gipabutang nato sa ilang petition kung unsa ilang gusto P1 nga increase or P10 nga minimum fare," Gabatan said.
The NCTU leaders set the deadline for the submission of all petitions with attached signatures not later than February so the LTFRB can immediately act on their appeal.
On the other hand, a taxi federation in Cagayan de Oro City has chosen not to ask for an increase in the flag down rate, saying they support the government's Train law.
Allan Gamba, president of the Metro Cagayan de Oro Taxi Federation, said they would instead urge the LTFRB to implement the existing fare adjustment which was halted because of resistance from other drivers and operators.
Gamba said the fare adjustment of P1 per kilometer and another P.50 per two minutes waiting period of taxi must now be implemented.
"Wala ta mangayo og increase pero katong fare adjustment nga wala gipa-implement sa LTFRB kay naa man nagpetition dapat nato ipatuman," Gamba said.
Gamba said they are putting their trust and confidence to the Duterte administration that the new tax reform measures will improve the transport sector and road infrastructure projects.