FOR THE LONGEST time, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been trying to find a viable solution that would somehow ease the perennial traffic congestion in the National Capital Region.
Number coding, truck ban, bike lanes and the EDSA carousel didn’t quite solve the problem — until news broke out in the imposition of what looks more like an oil price shock, which compelled public utility jeepney drivers to stop plying routes.
In a television news report, transport group leader Obet Martin said that jeepney drivers and operators are already feeling the effects of rising fuel prices. Martin is the national president of the Pinagkaisang Sangguniang Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association (PasangMasda).
“Kahapon, kausap ko po itong isang grupo ko – Tayuman, Blumentritt – talagang napakabigat po,” Martin was quoted as saying.
CHANGE IN CAREER
According to the transport group leader, his peers are seriously considering the idea of finding other means to survive — “Ang sabi nila sa akin, hindi na nila kaya… magko-construction workers o magtitinda na lang muna sila ng mga barbeque,” he added.
Some jeepney drivers in Malolos, Bulacan are also considering taking other jobs in the meantime — “Dahil yung isang biyahe namin ay mahigit P100 lang kinikita namin, P80 pa ang hulog namin. So mapipilitan muna huminto yung iba na mamasada, paubaya muna sa mga operator habang naghihintay ng ayuda sa gobyerno,” said Malolos, Bulacan-based jeepney driver Rogelio Carlos.
Even a motorcycle taxi driver by the name of James Noog admitted that his perseverance is no match to the daily oil price hike — “Sisipagan na lang kaso ganun pa rin. Kahit sipagan mo, mauubos din kasi gas mo, pipila ka ulit,” Noog was quoted in the GMA News report.
SUBSIDY AIN’T ENOUGH
Meanwhile, various transport groups led by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) protested against the fuel price hike.
Protesters called for the junking of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the removal of the value added tax and excise tax.
“Hindi na kaya ng mga drayber at operator. Hindi na rin kaya ng ating mga ordinaryong manggagawa dahil sa karampot na sahod. Hindi na rin sapat ang maliit na kita ng ating mga drayber at operator,” said Piston president Mody Floranda.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered various government agencies to extend subsidies to those affected by the oil crisis, but Floranda took a swipe at Marcos’ offer.
“Ano ang saysay ng fuel subsidy kung tuloy-tuloy na tumataas ang presyo ng petrolyo?” he added.
MINIMUM FARE HIKE
This developed as Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed an imminent fare hike that would consider the recent and anticipated oil price adjustments.
”Mayroong nakabinbin na petisyon, the process usually is for the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) to make a recommendation. They submitted a recommendation po sa DOTr, binalik ko po yesterday,” Lopez told Palace reporters.
“Sabi ko you have to recompute your numbers, you have to re-crunch your numbers, mukhang hindi tugma,” added Lopez, even as he claimed that the LTFRB will resubmit the recommendation within the week.
This fare hike comes amid the escalating tension in the Middle East, which gravely affects oil prices worldwide.
Marcos Jr. already ordered the immediate release of P5,000 cash assistance for public utility vehicle drivers to ease their burden on oil price shocks. The rollout will begin next week in Metro Manila.
