Economic and labor experts will be invited in the next hearing for the fare increase petitions of public utility vehicles (PUVs), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said those experts are expected to shed light on the effects of fare increase of any amount amid the ongoing hearing in the petition of at least seven transport groups for fare hike.

Among the government agencies that will be invited are the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Energy (DOE).

“We all heard the concerns and arguments raised by the transport groups on their fare hike petitions. They are all valid and legitimate and our task now is to validate the data they presented in terms of operational costs vis-à-vis their daily income and that of the drivers,” said Mendoza.

“But we also need to hear what the DEPDev and other agencies concerned have to say because we are all aware that any fare adjustment of any amount will have effects on the economy and the public’s purchasing power,” he added.

On Monday, representatives from transport and commuter groups attended the hearing for fare hike petition that were filed amid the series of oil price hikes.

With the arguments and concerns of those invited on Monday hearing, Mendoza said the next step is to hear what economic experts would say.

For the DEPDEv, Mendoza said they want to hear the effects of any amount that will be proposed based on the petitions of the transport groups while DOLE is expected to discuss what should be accorded and due to the workers, in this case, the drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs).

The DOE, for its part, will discuss matters pertaining to the oil price hikes and its effects on motorists.

Mendoza explained that they need to factor in the wisdom and expertise of the concerned agencies in the goal of coming up with the best solution that is acceptable to the PUV sector and the commuting public.

“The necessity to assist the PUV sector is already there because of the series of oil price hikes in the past weeks. The question, however, is that if fare adjustments are approved, what would be the ideal amount that would have the most minimal inflationary effects but are acceptable to everybody,” said Mendoza.

“This is the part where the insights of experts from DEPDev and other concerned agencies will play a key role,” he added.