Drivers hit permanence of rolled back fares

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

VARIOUS public transport groups in northern Mindanao yesterday criticized the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) over its decision to implement a permanent P30-taxi flag-down rate and public jeepney P6.50 minimum fare.

Public transport group leaders the lowering of fares should not have been made permanent given the unpredictable fuel prices.

Julieto Galleros, chairman of Solidarity of Transport Alliance in Northern Mindanao (Starex-Piston) said his group would oppose the LTFRB’s move to implement the permanent P30 flag-down rate starting today.

“Dili steady ang presyo sa petroleum products, mao nga dili angayan nga mag-implement sila sa permanent flag-down rate. Mura man og gidula-dulaan kami niini nga sitwasyon,” said Galleros.

The same applies to public jeepney fares, he said.

“Dili pa man gani gakasulbad ang taas nga presyo sa gasolina compared to other regions and nearby municipalities in Misamis Oriental. Unya ang atong pletihan karon maoy pinaka-ubos nga rate,” he said.

Galleros said public jeepneys in the Davao region is still charging a P8-minimum fare despite lowering of prices of fuel.

Because of the sudden increase of the prices of petroleum products this week, the Cagayan de Oro Federation of Taxi Drivers Association (Cafetada) withdrew its earlier manifestation, supporting LTFRB’s move.

Cafetada leader Bernie Jamaca said it was their consensus to oppose LTFRB’s move to make the P10ollback in taxi flagdown rates permanent.

Cafetada is also opposing the “waiting time” charge of P3.50 and another P3.50 for every succeeding 500 meters.

The group asked LTFRB to recall the order in anticipation of fuel price increases.

Jamaca said his group would only support the move of the LTFRB provided that the national government takes control of the prices of petroleum products in the country.