Groups seeks fare reduction of P0.50 to P1.00
A cause-oriented organization yesterday filed with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Office 6 a petition for fare reduction amid the sudden drop in world oil prices.
Panay Consumer Alliance through its representatives Lucia Capaducio, Mary Grace Lobaton, Rolando Asis, Maria Geobelyn Lopez, Ineceta Ruedas, Christopher Limos, Winefredo Doblizo Jr. and Edgar Pelayo in their petition asked the LTFRB for the reduction of the minimum fare rate in the amount of fifty centavos (P0.50) to one peso (P1.00) and for a corresponding reduction in the rate per kilometer for the succeeding kilometers.
The group cited that in recent months, there has been a series of rollback in fuel prices, from more than P59.62 per liter of diesel in July 2008 down to P41.60 in the past week, attributed mainly to the decrease in prices of oil in the world market.
"The Honorable Board approved the recent fare increase of one peso (P1.00) to the minimum in July 2008 when diesel was fifty-nine pesos and sixty-two centavos (P59.62) per liter, based on a petition by public utility drivers in October 2007 when diesel pump price was around thirty-seven pesos (P37.00) per liter. In the present level of diesel pump price of forty-one pesos and sixty centavos (P41.60), a fare reduction in the amount of fifty centavos (P0.50) from the minimum fare is in order and further in the amount of one peso (P1.00) if the diesel price is further reduced to thirty-seven pesos (P37.00) per liter. Corresponding reduction in the rate for the succeeding kilometers should also apply;" reads the group's petition.
Petitioners representing the riding public being served by public utility vehicles in the different routes within Panay island and Guimaras province said, the reduction in fares would be a great help to them as they are presently being burdened by the high prices of the most basic commodities and services.
"Petitioners are in the position to expect further reduction in the pump prices of fuel based on a strong clamor among the populace for the big oil companies to implement one "big-time" rollback in the prices of fuel because oil prices in the world market have gone down to a very low level. With this petition, they call on the government to convince the oil companies to rollback the diesel pump price to thirty-two pesos (P32.00) per liter, which rightly corresponds to the prevailing crude price of lower than sixty dollars ($60.00) per barrel at the world market," they added.
It was learned that several other groups in the different parts of the country have petitioned the LTFRB for a fare reduction following the rollback in the pump prices of fuel.
LTFRB-6 regional director Porfirio Clavel, in a radio interview, said they will set a hearing for the petition filed by the Panay Consumer Alliance.