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Fueled by the rising cost of commodities and their shrinking take-home pay, drivers and operators in the region have asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for an increase in fare of public utility jeepney (PUJ) by as much as P5.

Epifanio Tamiok Jr., Transporter Federation Empowerment Council, Inc. (Trafeco) chairman, said the last minimum fare increase was approved more than 10 years ago on Feb. 15, 2008, but in between those years the price of fuel has consistently been going up.

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Tamiok said they are appealing to the riding public to understand their desire to increase the minimum fare of PUJs in Northern Mindanao.

“For so long a time we have been bearing the brunt of lower fare, but this time we have a compelling reason to ask for an increase,” he said in the vernacular.

Joel Gabatan, National Confederation of Transport Union regional chairman, said they are aware that the proposed additional P5 is “suntok sa buwan,” but they are open to negotiations with the LTFRB.

“We know that it will be hard for the LTFRB to approve it (P5). If that cannot be granted, what we want is for our minimum fare to be the same as Manila, which is P9,” Gabatan said.

He said they have not pushed hard for a PUJ fare increase since they have also considered the commuters. (davaotoday.com)

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