MANILA, Philippines — With fuel prices continuing to climb, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has announced it will open public consultations to address mounting petitions from transport groups for a nationwide fare increase.
LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III confirmed that the agency is currently evaluating several formal requests from jeepney and bus operators. These groups are seeking a ₱1.00 to ₱2.00 increase in the minimum fare to offset the rising cost of diesel, which has seen several consecutive weeks of upward adjustments.
“We understand the struggle of our drivers and operators, but we must also balance this with the capacity of our commuters to pay,” Guadiz stated. “The purpose of these consultations is to hear from all stakeholders—the transport sector, the commuters, and economic experts—before we make a final decision.”
Under the current petitions, transport leaders argue that the “take-home” pay of drivers has dwindled significantly, making it difficult to cover daily operational expenses and maintenance. Some groups have also suggested a “surge pricing” model or a temporary provisional increase while the oil market remains volatile.
The LTFRB, however, remains cautious. The agency is closely coordinating with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to assess the potential inflationary impact of a fare hike. Historically, an increase in transportation costs often triggers a “domino effect,” raising the prices of basic commodities and services.
Commuter rights groups have already voiced concerns, urging the government to instead look into expanding fuel subsidies or providing direct “Pantawid Pasada” relief to drivers rather than passing the burden onto the riding public.
The public hearings are expected to begin within the next two weeks. Until a formal order is issued, the LTFRB reminded the public that the current fare structure remains in effect and that “unauthorized” collections by drivers will be met with penalties.