TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 02 Director Nasrudin Talipasan “promised” that he will talk to van operators to lessen public utility van fares.
In a text message to Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, Talipasan said he will ask van operators to lighten the implementation of prescribed fares.
“Kung nakayanan nilang magbaba ng singil nung nakalipas na sampung taon siguro po makayanan din po nilang pagaanin ang burden ng mga mananakay natin nang hindi naman nasasaktan ng malubha ang mga mananakay,” Talipasan reportedly told Mamba.
Talipasan earlier explained that the fare matrix has been approved via memorandum circular in 2007, but has not been implemented by van operators because of “competition.” LTFRB added that no action was made for van operators’ undercharging because no one filed a complaint.
(READ: LTFRB clarifies: No fare hike in Cagayan Valley; PUVs only followed prescribed fares)
Meanwhile, in a press release, Cagayan Provincial Information Office (CPIO) said the governor reportedly talked to Talipasan after receiving text message complaints from commuters through the “I-text mo kay Gob” line.
Mamba, CPIO said, is hoping that the LTFRB will reconsider the prescribed fares.
He also appealed to van operators to implement the new fare matrix “gradually” to lessen the burden of commuters.
Last week, van operators associations announced doubled fare rates for public utility vans. Commuters took to social media their grievances over the sudden increase of fares, calling the hike “unfair.” Some netizens also questioned the memorandum circular that approved the increase.
In response, LTFRB said, “We wish we could still do something to ease the burden of our people… but we cannot simply abrogate a rule that has been standing for long period of time.” Northernforum.net
