Marcos orders suspension of fare hikes on PUVs

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of fare hikes on public utility vehicles a day before their scheduled implementation.

In a video shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, March 18, Marcos said now's not the time to increase PUV fares for Filipino commuters.

"Dahil may problema pa rin tayo dahil sa giyera sa Middle East ay siguro hindi ito ang panahon para magtaas ng pamasahe para sa ating kababayan," he said. “Kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter, sa lahat ng ating manggagawa, mga estudyante, lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system.”

The President assured continued support for transport workers. “'Wag po mag-alala ang ating mga transport workers. Mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan.”

He also revealed the administration's plans to hold Libreng Sakay programs in different parts of the country. “Pwede po ninyong gamitin muna 'yan para pangbawas ng gastos sa araw-araw.”

A discount on train rides and toll fees will also be implemented.

“Kahit na may malaking gulo na nangyayari, ang tiyak namin na hangarin ay kaunti lang ang mararamdaman o sana man, kung kaya namin gawin, sana walang mararamdaman ang ating taumbayan sa kanilang araw-araw na pagtrabaho, sa ating mga estudyante na araw-araw pumapasok,” said Marcos.

“Alalahanin po ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay laging nandito. Lagi kaming nag-iisip ng panibagong paraan upang matiyak na ang inyong pamumuhay ay normal, maayos, at ligtas,” he added.

The Department of Transportation, in a statement released on the same day, said it will implement the President's directive to postpone the PUV fare hikes.

"Ipatutupad ng Department of Transportation ang direktiba ng Pangulo na ipagpaliban muna ang dagdag-pasahe sa mga pampublikong sasakyan habang nagpapatuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis bunsod ng nagpapatuloy na gulo sa Middle East," its statement read. "Tulad ng nabanggit ng Pangulo, inihahanda na rin ng DOTr ang iba’t ibang programang tututok at makatutulong sa ating mga pasahero at PUV drivers tulad ng libreng sakay."

Secretary Banoy Lopez has spoken with toll operators regarding the provision of toll discounts, per the department. It's also expediting the release of fuel subsidies for qualified drivers and operators as supplemental aid.

"Patuloy pong kumikilos ang DOTr at lahat ng attached agencies nito para matiyak na agad na maibibigay ang lahat ng posibleng ayuda at suporta sa mga komyuter, tsuper at transport operators," it said.

This comes a day after the LTFRB announced fare adjustments on traditional and modern jeepneys, airport taxis, transportation network vehicle services, metro/city buses, provincial buses, and P2P buses amid rising fuel prices due to tensions in the Middle East. The war began on Feb. 28 when the US and Israel carried out joint attacks against Iran to neutralize Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Retaliatory attacks have upended the region, which supplies 98% of the Philippines' crude oil supply, according to the Philippine Information Agency.

LTFRB chairperson Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II on Tuesday, March 17, said that there would be a 19% jump in PUV fares across all regions. 

They were supposed to take effect this Thursday, March 19.