Provincial Bus Operators Association Executive Director Alex Yague said on Wednesday that the government’s current “ayuda” or cash aid for bus companies is merely a band aid solution that does little to help the profuse “bleeding” of bus operators.

“Bakit hindi namin kailangan ng ayuda? ‘Yung ayuda na pinapanukala ng pamahalaan, ay parang, nagbe-bleeding na ‘yung problema ng mga operator, ang binibigay sa aming ayuda ay parang band-aid solution. Pag band-aid, hindi na kaya ‘yung sobrang bleeding,” he explained in an interview on The Situation Report.

Yague recalled that a petition seeking a fare increase was filed two years ago, back in 2024, and that it was only approved on March 14 this year.

“‘Yung fare increase kasi na hinihiling namin, ito ay nai-file na namin ‘yung petition noong September of 2024 pa. Dalawang taon na ang nakaraan. At noong tumaas ang halaga ng diesel… nag-follow up kami ng petition for fare increase, at ito naman ay naaprubahan ng LTFRB pagkatapos ng dalawang taon na paghe-hearing at konsultasyon sa publiko. Naaprubahan ito noong March 14, 2026, at mayroon itong 15 percent increase sa aming pamasahe,” he recounted.

However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended the fare hike implementation only around four days following the petition approval.

“Kaya lang, after mga four days, noong inilabas ito ng LTFRB, ay sinuspinde ng ating Pangulo ang implementation. Malaking tulong na sana iyon, hindi sana kami magaapela kung na-implement ‘yung fare increase na iyon,” Yague told the anchors.

As a result, Yague said, bus operators have been forced to implement an “alis-puno” system, in which buses scheduled for travel at a certain time will be stalled until enough passengers board to cover the cost of fuel, the driver’s salary, toll fees, and other travel expenses.

Otherwise, operators are forced to pay out of pocket for these expenses.

“Hindi bibiyahe ‘yung bus pag hindi puno. Otherwise, mag-aabono ‘yung operator pag dating niya doon sa kanyang destination,” Yague said.

This comes amid the recent surge in pump prices, which saw an increase in gasoline prices by ₱4.88/L, diesel prices by ₱8.82/L, and kerosene by ₱6.47/L.

On Tuesday, the Palace said a fare hike will be the administration’s ideal last resort.