The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has warned public utility vehicle (PUV) operators against implementing fare increases without prior approval from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said his office has received complaints from commuters reporting that some PUV operators have already raised their fares amid the continuing rise in petroleum prices.

Lopez warned that operators caught implementing unauthorized fare hikes will be issued a show cause order, and that their franchises could be placed at risk of suspension or revocation.

"Please inform us at the DOTr and LTFRB, and you can be assured that we will issue show cause orders against bus operators and public vehicles that have raised fares without permission," Lopez said.

He also appealed directly to transport operators to refrain from implementing fare increases without LTFRB approval, noting that as regulated entities, any unauthorized hike is grounds for franchise revocation or suspension.

The DOTr has already deployed LTFRB personnel to verify reported instances of unauthorized fare increases.

Holiday exodus preparations underway

Ahead of the long holiday, the DOTr has directed the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to reinforce support at ports expected to see a surge in passengers. Lopez anticipated a reduction in available vessels due to the oil crisis and said the government has pre-positioned PCG ships at strategic locations including Marinduque, Batangas, and Calapan to assist stranded passengers.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), meanwhile, has launched pilot testing of an online reservation system that will allow passengers to check available vessels to their home provinces. The PPA has also been placed on full holiday preparedness.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will coordinate with the DOTr, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units to clear obstructions along McArthur Highway and Maharlika Highway.

"We will work with the DOTr, LTO, PNP, and DILG to ensure that especially during Holy Week, the McArthur and Maharlika highway systems are free from obstruction — because it greatly helps not just in travel speed, but in fuel savings as well," DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the acceleration of travel and clearing of all road passages is part of the government's UPLIFT measures to help the public save on fuel consumption amid rising oil prices caused by conflict in the Middle East.

"This is included in our directive under UPLIFT — to open all roads so that travel becomes more convenient for the traveling public," Marcos said.