BAGUIO CITY – Residents and public utility vehicle (PUV) associations here agreed on a "voluntary" fare hike that would help address the woes of both commuters and transport sector workers following a public consultation.

“The different associations conducted public consultations to inform the public of their request for a voluntary fare increase. If they do not do it, the transport sector can no longer afford the cost of fuel to run their vehicle to service the public. We need everybody’s cooperation so that we both benefit,” Wilson Bumay-et, president of the United Jeepney Operator and Drivers Association in Baguio and Benguet, said in a media interview on Monday.

The scheme sets a P20 minimum fare and an additional P2 per succeeding kilometer in all jeepney routes in the city.

The transport group clarified that paying P20 is voluntary after several jeepney operators earlier posted that it is mandatory, triggering complaints from many passengers.

“As much as possible, we do not want to totally halt the operation, but the burden of the drivers subsidizing the fuel just to provide transportation has become too much to bear that they lose even the income for the day, which is supposed to be for their family," he added.

“We thank the passengers for their understanding of the situation. It is the only win-win solution we can think of to address the current situation of high fuel costs.

In March, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved a P1 increase in the minimum fare of traditional jeepneys (from P13 to P14) plus P2 for every succeeding kilometer, while modern jeepneys will have a P2 increase in the minimum fare (from P15 to P17) plus P2.30 for every succeeding kilometer.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., however, ordered the suspension of the fare hike which was supposed to take effect March 19, citing the additional expenses amid the Middle East conflict.

To save up on fuel costs, public utility jeepneys minimized their trips and avoided plying the roads when there were no commuters, leading to long queues at loading areas in the city proper during the afternoon rush hour.

Aside from the jeepneys, taxi drivers have also asked for a voluntary fare increase of P20 from passengers for the same reason.

Dionisio Dennis, a regular commuter from Barangay Pinsao to the city proper and vice versa, said the consultations were proper because not all commuters can afford such a big hike.

“We have commuters who receive minimum wage and almost doubling the fare will make it more difficult for them but if it is not mandatory, then better because there are those who can spare more,” he said in Ilocano.

Marie Cruz, a government employee, also supported the measure which she said will help ease the burden of drivers.

“Knowing the situation of the drivers, while it is quite heavy, it is okay to help the drivers so that we continue to have jeepneys to ferry us,” said Cruz.

She added that her usual taxi fare from the office to her home in Barangay Santo Tomas Proper costs P170 to P180, but with the voluntary P20 increase, she no longer asks for change.

In a related development, the city government warned village officials against collecting unauthorized fees, often disguised as "donations," from public utility jeepney (PUJ) associations utilizing roads within the Central Business District as loading areas.

City Administrator Vittorio Jerico Cawis called the practice illegal and callous, saying public roads are not toll gates and that the city will not tolerate extortion activities.

"Our public transport sector is currently the most critically hit by the ongoing fuel and energy crisis. To bleed them further with forced donations just to operate within their respective areas of responsibility is completely unacceptable and devoid of basic empathy," Cawis said.

"Any official or personnel proven to be executing or tolerating these illegal collections will face severe administrative charges and the necessary penalties under the law."

He urged transport associations and drivers who have been subjected to these illegal donations to directly report the specific barangay and officials to the Mayor's Office or the City Administrator's Office for immediate action. (PNA)