The Bayaning Tsuper Party-list (BTs) is calling on the national government to immediately grant the petition of transport groups for a fare adjustment.
According to BTs Party-list first nominee Aminola “Alex” Abaton, the adjustment is inevitable, given the continued rise in fuel prices in the world market and the consequent oil price hike in the country.
Abaton pointed out that a reasonable fare adjustment is the most feasible short-term solution to ease the financial burden of PUV drivers/operators.
“We understand the reluctance for a fare increase. However, this is inevitable due to the series of oil price increases. Public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers/operators who have already been hard-hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic need this fare increase to cope,” he emphasized.
Abaton, who is a lawyer, pointed out that a reasonable fare adjustment is the most feasible short-term solution to ease the financial burden of PUV drivers/operators.
Further, Abaton noted that PUV fares have remained the same since the onset of the pandemic.
“Matagal-tagal na ding nagtitiis ang mga maliliit na driver at operator ng pampublikong transportasyon. Lahat ng bilihin tumaas na pero hanggang ngayon, bukod-tanging ang pasahe ang nasa pre-pandemic rate pa rin. Panahon na para dinggin ang hinaing ng mga tsuper,” he stated.
Abaton noted that PUV fares have remained the same since the onset of the pandemic.
As a long-term solution, Abaton revealed that once elected, the BTS Party-list will propose the institutionalization of the Public Transport Consumer Tax Incentive, a law that will appropriate a certain percentage of the total fuel consumption tax, which had been collected from the public transportation sector, to serve as funds for the benefit of drivers/operators.
“Under the Party-list’s proposed law, the collected funds will be used for the benefit of PUV drivers/operators. An incentive is the continuing cash subsidy to be given directly to qualified PUV drivers/operators. This will cushion their livelihood from the negative impact of disruptions, such as oil price increases,” the BTS first nominee highlighted.
The BTs Party-list is also in favor of revisiting Republic Act No. 8479, or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, “to ascertain its effectiveness and relevance to respond to the current needs of our people,” Abaton underscored.
