Transport group Manibela said Friday it may push for a provisional fare increase of up to ₱2 for public utility vehicles (PUVs), citing heavy losses among drivers due to soaring fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.
MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena stressed that the move would only be a “last resort” if government aid and tax relief measures are not granted.
“Last resort po namin ito dapat, kung mabibigyan tayo ng ayuda at mababawasan ‘yung excise tax at value added tax o ma-suspend,” he said in a television interview.
Valbuena noted that pump prices are expected to climb by another ₱15 next week.
“So siguro panahon na para kasama na kami sa manawagan na magtaas kahit na provisional lang o pansamantala lang na ₱1 o ₱2,” he added.
According to him, many drivers have been losing around ₱400 to ₱500 in daily income as fuel prices jumped by ₱25 to ₱30 per liter in recent weeks.
To cope with the situation, some operators have resorted to alternating driving schedules to avoid competing for passengers during off-peak hours.
The group also criticized the government’s ₱5,000 fuel subsidy, saying it is “not enough” to offset the steep rise in operating costs.