Malacañang urged transport groups on Tuesday to pursue dialogue instead of pushing through with a planned strike, as the government reviews proposals for fare hikes and a new round of fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators.
Meanwhile, the P10-per-liter fuel subsidy for drivers and operators of jeepneys and UV Express vans has been extended to this month.
‘The government is listening to you; it would be better to have a peaceful and orderly dialogue rather than constantly taking to the streets, as that is not the solution to the issues we face today,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said.
Provisional fare hike bid
She said the President’s economic team, the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) are studying the latest fare petitions of transport groups.
Economic managers, however, have warned that a steep fare increase would significantly drive inflation.
The government is also studying the proposed P20-per-liter fuel subsidy for PUV drivers and operators.
Castro said the interagency discussions aim to produce a ‘concrete and detailed resolution’ on that proposal by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Transport group Manibela warned it would go on a three-day transport strike from Aug. 10 to 12 if the LTFRB and DoTr do not grant its request for a provisional fare increase.
Manibela is seeking a P2 increase while its main petition is still under deliberation. The group’s president, Mar Valbeuna, said this additional fare, if approved, could translate to around P200 in extra daily earnings for drivers who make long trips.
But he also pointed out this was still inadequate to fully offset their operating expenses, amid the constant fuel price adjustments brought by the Middle East conflict.