By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang advised the commuting public to "take the brunt" of the reported jeepney fare hike as it assured that it would only be temporary.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after it was reported that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved the two-peso increase of the basic jeepney fare to P10 starting November 3.
Public utility jeepneys (PUJ) pass along Quezon Avenue (LJ Pasion / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his press briefing Thursday, Panelo said that the Palace is hoping that everything would return to normal once "everything settles down."
"The message is always, this is just temporary. So hopefully when everything settles down, babalik tayo sa dati (We will come back to where we were before)," he said.
"We really have to take the brunt sa ngayon (for now). But if you notice, there have been changes of prices in the market. They're slowly tapering," he added.
"Sa palagay ko tama ang sinasabi ng economic managers---hindi naman ito permanente (I think the economic managers are right that this is not permanent)," he continued.
The fare hike came after the LTFRB made permanent provisional fare hike of P1 in July this year and granted another increase of P1, making the minimum jeepney fare P10 from the previous P8.
However, the LTFRB denied the request of transport groups for a one-peso increase for every succeeding kilometer after the first four kilometers due to lack of factual and reasonable basis.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB also approved an across-the-board provisional fare hike for Metro Manila buses from P10 to P11, and provincial buses from P12 to P13. This will take effect on the first week of November.
The LTFRB also approved an additional P0.15 hike for every additional kilometer after the first fie kilometers. LTFRB chair Martin Delgra said over DZMM that they approved the higher fare schemes due to rising fuel prices.