P5-discount on fuel, not fare hike: Starex

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

THE Solidarity of Transport Alliance in northern Mindanao over the weekend opposed calls for an increase in jeepney fares, saying this would hurt commuters’ pockets.

But Starex, which is allied with the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston), is seeking discounts on fuel prices for  public utility vehicles throughout the country.

Gringo Lago, Starex-Piston secretary general for northern Mindanao, aired his group’s position after the Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (Acto) filed a petition for fare increases with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday.

Lago said a P5-discount for every liter of fuel would do.

“Dili kami gusto og fare increase but discount ngadto sa petroleum products tungod kay dili malahutayon nga solution ang pagpangayo og fare increase tungod kay ang katawhan ang affected niini,” Lago said.

Or better still, he said, the LTFRB under the Duterte administration can help the public transportation sector by pushing for the scrapping of the Oil Industry Deregulation Law.

Lago blamed the deregulation law for the unchecked increases in fuel prices by oil companies.

Lago said the oil prices in the Middle East have been dropping because there is enough supply in the past few months.

“Bagsak presyo na sila didto apan diri ang atong Department of Energy nahimo gihapon nga spokesperson sa oil companies,” he said.

Lago said energy department should organize consultations with public transportation groups especially in Mindanao.

He said commuters should also speak up, and oppose moves to increase fares.