The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is treating a possible increase in public transport fares as a “last resort” as the government seeks to cushion commuters from rising fuel prices, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Lopez said the administration’s priority is to determine what assistance the government can still provide to prevent the burden of higher fuel costs from being passed on to commuters through fare increases.
“Ang prayoridad pa rin po talaga ng administrasyon po natin ngayon is susubukan pa rin po na pigain ang gobyerno kung anong maitutulong natin dito sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Ayaw kasi talaga ng ating pangulo na ipasa 'yung pasanin dito sa ating mga commuter sa pagtaas po ng pamasahe,” Lopez said.
He said he had instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to process valid fare-hike petitions, with the board expected to submit recommendations by October.
The recommendations will then be studied by the DOTr and the government’s economic managers to determine the appropriate measures and prevent further inflationary pressures, Lopez said, citing the country’s 6.1% inflation rate in August.
Lopez also noted that wages have not increased at the same pace as the rising cost of living.
“Kung iisipin po natin yung sitwasyon rin po na hindi naman tumataas yung mga sahod din ng ating kababayan,“ he said.
As an interim measure, he said the government is considering targeted subsidies for transport workers and operators, including a possible second round of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program specifically for transport groups.
He said a fare increase could eventually be considered if other government interventions are no longer sufficient, but stressed that this should remain the last option.
“Ang usapan po namin ah magta-targeted subsidy muna po kami meron naman po nag-usap kami nila Secretary Rex [Gatchalian] kung pwede nating gawin yung second round ng AICS natin exclusively for a transport group. Pero sa tingin po natin, it is just a matter of time kung saan natin na ah pwedeng gawin yung fair height. Mangyayari at kung pwede nga last resort po ['yung fake increase],” he said.
Lopez noted that among the measures being continued is the government’s fuel subsidy program. He said the government is also studying whether the existing ₱12 fuel discount could be increased and expanded to other modes of public transportation, as the current program covers jeepneys and UV Express vehicles.
Lopez also cited toll-free access for provincial buses and the waiver of terminal fees in some malls as other measures being implemented to help ease transport costs.
Meanwhile, the transportation chief said the DOTr continues to seek funding for the EDSA Busway and its service contracting program to maintain efficient and reliable public transportation.
Lopez also shared that he has personally used public transportation to better understand the experiences of commuters.
He expressed hope that upcoming infrastructure projects, including the MRT-7, would eventually help improve public transportation and reduce the burden on commuters.
Watch the full interview below:
