Malacañang said a jeepney fare hike is “premature” despite a possible eighth straight week of oil price increases, noting that a provisional P1 adjustment remains in effect and is still sufficient to cover fuel costs.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said she has spoken with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez regarding petitions from transport groups.

“Sa ngayon po ay may hearing na nagaganap, pinag-aaralang mabuti kung magkakaroon ng fare hike (At present, there is a hearing underway, and they are carefully studying whether there will be a fare hike),” she said Friday, Feb. 20.

Citing LTFRB, she said that the fare hike plea of jeepney drivers and operators might be premature.

“Ayon naman din po sa LTFRB, ang patungkol po sa hinihiling ng mga jeepney operators and drivers mukhang hindi pa po napapanahon o premature dahil po mayroon pong provisional fare increase sa halagang one peso (According to the LTFRB, the request of jeepney operators and drivers appears premature because there is already a provisional fare increase of one peso),” she added.

Castro said that based on the LTFRB’s computation, the existing P1 provisional increase “still covers the fuel cost for jeepneys.”

While jeepney petitions are deemed premature, Castro said the LTFRB is prioritizing discussions on bus fares because buses do not have a temporary fare increase in place.

“Ang priority po ngayon ng LTFRB kung magkakaroon po ng fare hike ay ang mga buses dahil wala po silang temporary fare hike (The LTFRB’s priority now, if there will be a fare hike, is buses because they do not have a temporary fare hike),” she said.

The Palace official noted that hearings are ongoing as the board studies the impact of rising fuel prices on public transport operations.

Despite describing the fare hike petition as premature, Castro said the LTFRB is still studying what assistance may be extended to jeepney operators and drivers if oil prices continue to rise.

“Pinag-aaralan pa rin po ang maaaring maibigay na tulong sa mga jeepney operators and drivers (They are still studying what assistance can be given to jeepney operators and drivers),” she said.

Castro did not detail possible forms of aid but said discussions are ongoing between transport officials.

Castro also clarified that jeepney operators and drivers are not solely pushing for a fare hike but are raising concerns about illegal or “kolorum” vehicles.

“Ayon din po sa sinabi ni Chair Mendoza, ang hiling naman din po ng mga jeepney operators at mga jeepney drivers ay hindi particular sa fare hike kundi para labanan iyong kolorum (According to Chair Mendoza, the request of jeepney operators and drivers is not particularly about a fare hike but about fighting illegal vehicles),” she said.

She cited the ongoing enforcement efforts of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which has intensified operations against unauthorized public utility vehicles.