The  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) plans to implement a provisional fare increase on Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) once the diesel price climbs to ₱60 per liter.

The contingency is still linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“Because of the Middle East crisis and the continued increase in the price of fuel, we have definitely considered the granting of provisional increases,” LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza said

The agency cannot reveal the exact amount of increase yet, and this matter remains under review, but the agency says that the price adjustments may vary, depending on the type of transport vehicle.

Chairman Mendoza also wants to consider providing a fuel subsidy to PUV operators and drivers instead of a fare hike.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) previously made a statement regarding this matter on March 2 regarding the finalization of documents related to fuel subsidy distribution once the crude barrel price hits 80 USD.

“Syempre ang first recourse po natin are non-fare increase options. So hopefully, di naman gusto nating ma-trigger yon pero pag na-trigger yung 80 dollars, our first option of course, will be probably fuel subsidy. Ang pamasahe, last option na natin.” Chairman Mendoza said

[Our first recourse is non-fare increase options. So hopefully, we don’t hope for it to be triggered, but if the 80 dollars will be triggered, our first option, of course, will be probably fuel subsidy. The fare will be our last option.”]

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr

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