Palace says Pantawid Pasada program to be revived

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - As oil companies implemented another price hike on Tuesday, transport groups reiterated their call for a fare hike and threatened to go on strike if government does not give into their demands.

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) complained about the government's alleged lack of initiative in helping the transport sector cope with soaring fuel prices.

Militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), for its part, called on President Aquino to personally intervene and find ways to tame oil prices.

At least four oil firms raised prices of their gasoline and diesel products today to reflect the movement of prices in the world market.

Petron, Shell, Total and Flying V raised their gasoline prices by 70 centavos per liter, unleaded gasoline by 50 centavos per liter and diesel by 90 centavos per liter.

The latest round of price adjustments, the fourth since the start of the year, came amid heightened tensions between key crude producer Iran and the United States.

PISTON urged the President to implement measures that will provide immediate relief to motorists. The group wants the Oil Deregulation Law and the value-added tax on fuel suspended to rein in escalating prices.

It and the other groups warned they will hold a strike to paralyze public transport in the country if government fails to act on their plea.

Fare hike

The groups also asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to grant their application for an increase in the minimum jeepney fare to P10 from the current P8.

LTFRB chair James Jacob said the commission is already fast-tracking the hearings on the matter so they can come up with a decision soon.

However, Jacob said they are taking into consideration not only the transport sector, but also the consumers, who will bear the brunt of a possible fare increase.

"Basta magde-decide kami as soon as possible. 'Yong increase po doon sa gasolina, lahat naghihingalo, binabalanse namin ito," he said.

Aside from jeepney operators, provincial bus operators also have a pending application for higher fares before the LTFRB.

Pantawid Pasada

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday said the government will reactivate the "Pantawid Pasada" program for the transport sector in view of the rising oil prices.

"We have always maintained that we respect the market forces. However, we're making sure that we mitigate the effect, especially on the transport sector," Lacierda said.

The government’s “Pantawid Pasada” program was created last year to provide a subsidy for the public transport sector, amid soaring oil prices. “Pantawid Pasada” cards were distributed to qualified jeepney drivers, who would be able to avail of fuel discounts. -- With reports from ANC; Dennis Datu, dzMM; Alvin Elchico and Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News