(MANILA BULLETIN)

With fares for traditional and modern jeepneys set to increase, House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said she would rather see the passage of the "lower oil prices bills package". 

She says the fare increase provides “very minimal help to drivers" and serves as "an added burden to commuters". 

"To significantly lower oil prices and help both drivers and commuters, Congress should act now and expedite the approval of measures that would lower oil prices and again regulate the oil industry,” she said in a statement Wednesday, Oct. 4. 

These measures are composed of House Bill (HB) No. 400 or the lower oil price bill, HB No. 3003 or the renationalize Petron bill, HB No. 3004 or the unbundling oil prices bill, HB No. 3005 or the centralized procurement of petroleum bill, and HB No. 3006 or Act to regulate the downstream oil industry. 

These bills were first filed by Bayan Muna Party-list in previous Congresses. Castro hopes these “will finally be enacted to stop runaway oil prices”. 

"As can be seen there are numerous House measures just waiting to be prioritized by Malacañang and the House leadership,” she said. 

Once these measures are enacted, the lawmaker anticipates lower oil prices that will “cause a domino effect in lowering basic products and services and at least alleviate the suffering of consumers”. 

A P1 fare hike will take effect on Sunday, Oct. 8, for both traditional and modern jeepneys nationwide. 

Minimum fare will increase from P12 to P13 in traditional jeepneys and P14 to P15 in modern jeepneys. 

This, after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved a petition from transport groups for a provisional increase.