Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman, Vigor Mendoza said Sunday a new fare hikes for jeepneys and buses to be announced Tuesday.

DOTR Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the LTFRB has already approved the fare increase, but for the amount, we still need to justify it. Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez tomorrow.)

“Hindi naman natin kayang lubohin yan, lakihan na napakalaki dahil mahihirapan masyado ‘yung ating mga mananakay. Tapos, we also coordinate with other government agencies ‘yung impact on inflation. Ayaw nating mag tumaas masyado ang ating mga bilihin dahil sa ating gagawin,” Mendoza said.

The LTFRB said the fare hike will cover all those who previously filed a petition for a fare increase, including jeepneys and buses.

However, fares for taxis and UV Express will not be announced on Tuesday, as their petitions have just been approved and still need to go through hearings and a nationwide consultation program.

The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) president Melencio Vargas said jeepney drivers must continue with their operations since they do not have other means of living, especially many of them are senior citizens and have limited education.

“Kami ay magtitiis talaga. Makapag-uwi kami ng 300 to 400 pesos, kahit paano pambili na ng bigas ‘yun,” Vargas said.

(We will really have to endure. We can only bring home P300 to P400, which is just enough to buy some rice.)

He added that subsidies to be distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board would also help them with their needs.

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said it would continue its plan to stage a protest in relation to the effect of the Middle East conflict.

“Karapatan nating ituloy ang pagkilos na ito. Dahil dun sa malaking ginagawa ng Estados Unidos ‘yung usapin ng agresyon ay isa tayo sa tinatamaan bunga ng nagaganap na giyera,” PISTON national president Mody Floranda said.

(It is our right to continue this action. The United States has a significant role in the ongoing conflict, which affects the country.)

“Ang panawagan natin, dapat ihinto ng Estados Unidos ang kanilang agresyon dahil hindi lang Pilipinas ang naapektuhan kundi pati iba’t ibang bansa,” he added.

(Our call is for the US to stop its aggression because it not only affects the Philippines but also other countries.)

He also said PISTON will conduct a press conference on Monday to announce the dates of the planned transport strike.

Another round of massive oil price hikes are expected to be implemented next week, with diesel projected to rise by P19 to P22 per liter and gasoline by P12 to P16 per liter.