MANILA — The government is not yet inclined to increase fares despite calls from transport groups, the Palace said, adding it wants to provide as much assistance as it can before having commuters pay more.
Groups are seeking fare increases to address fuel prices that have soared since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.
"Mabigat po talaga kasi kung pagsasabay-sabayin lahat. Noon pa naman ang gusto ng pangulo ay balansyado. Tumaas man ang presyo ng krudo ay hindi naman masyadong mararamdaman ng ating mga commuters," Castro said in a press briefing Tuesday, September 22.
(It will really be tough if everything increases at the same time. Ever since, the president has wanted things balanced. That if fuel prices do increase, commuters will not feel it so sharply.)
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Citing a statement from Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez, she said government is trying to find ways to help drivers and transport operators without having commuters bear the burden.
"Ang pagtaas ng pamasahe ay sana maging last resort natin," she said.
(We hope a fare increase would be our last resort.)
Several groups of provincial and city bus operators urgently have appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a 'fair and sustainable fare', saying they are "bleeding" from high prices and payments on modernization loans.
They also said an impending wage increase will add further pressure.
Castro said the Palace will wait for agencies' recommendations on the proposed fare hikes, but said government "is really not inclined" to raise them.
"Hangga’t kakayanin lang po na ibigay muna ang tulong sa ating mga tsuper, sa transport sector, nang hindi tataas ang pamasahe ‘yun po muna ang ginagawa ng administrasyon,” she added."
(As much as we can we will give assistance to drivers, to the transport sector without raising fares, that is that the administration will do first.)
The Palace official assured continuous assistance to affected PUV drivers and operators such as subsidies, fuel discounts, toll exemptions for provincial buses, and waived fees at some terminals.
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"Hindi pa po dito ‘yan magtatapos (It does not end there)," Castro said, adding the government is preparing for other developments in the Middle East, which, she stressed the Philippines has no control over.
Among the measures government is considering is suspending the excise tax on petroleum products after Dubai crude oil breached $80 per barrel.
Castro said the Development Budget Coordination Committee may submit its recommendation on that to Marcos Jr. within the week.
"Ito po ay agad-agad aaksyunan ng pangulo (The president will act on that immediately)," she said.