Piston Seeks Provisional P5 Fare Hike Amid Rising Oil Prices | Afternoon Delight
Why It Matters
The decision will directly affect commuter expenses and could set a precedent for how the government balances fuel subsidies against fare adjustments amid volatile oil prices.
Key Takeaways
- •Piston requests provisional PHP5 fare increase effective March 16.
- •Rising diesel price hits drivers, costing up to 1,815 pesos daily.
- •Lawyers for Commuter Safety urge fuel subsidy instead of fare hike.
- •Piston also pushes for VAT and excise tax suspension.
- •Government subsidy offers only 5,000–12,000 pesos per operator, insufficient.
Summary
Transport group Piston has filed a request for a provisional PHP5 increase in the jeepney fare, to be considered on March 16, as fuel costs climb to PHP24 per liter.
The association argues that drivers are losing roughly PHP1,815 per day because each jeepney consumes about 30 kilograms of diesel daily. A one‑time subsidy of PHP5,000 for traditional jeepneys and PHP12,000 for bonder units, which the government plans to distribute, is deemed insufficient to offset the surge.
Piston president Camode Floranda emphasized the operators’ “almost vanished” earnings, while commuter‑rights lawyer Ariel Inton countered that a fuel subsidy could eliminate the need for any fare hike. The group also called for the suspension of VAT and excise taxes on transport fuels.
If approved, the fare hike would raise commuting costs for millions, potentially sparking public backlash, while the debate highlights broader tensions between transport operators’ financial viability and commuter affordability in a high‑inflation environment.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...