Malacañang on Tuesday emphasized that approving a public transport fare increase remains a last resort for the government, which prefers to sustain targeted subsidies, fuel discounts, and relief programs under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on oil prices.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro acknowledged calls from transport groups seeking a minimum fare adjustment to offset escalating fuel costs. However, she cautioned that granting a fare hike could place an added financial strain on commuters who are also grappling with the broader economic fallout of the geopolitical crisis.
“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.
Citing updates from Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Castro affirmed that government agencies are actively exploring alternative measures to support public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators without shifting the financial burden onto the riding public.
“Pinipiga pa muna natin ang gobyerno kung ano pang pwedeng gawin para makatulong sa mga tsuper at transport operator na hindi ipasa sa mga commuters ang pasanin. Kung pagtaas ng pamasahe ay sana maging last resort natin,” Castro stated.
She stressed that the administration remains committed to exhausting all available resources to assist the transport sector before considering any fare adjustments.
“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.
To help mitigate rising operating expenses, Castro noted that the administration is sustaining multiple non-fare interventions under the UPLIFT framework. These include direct fuel discounts, emergency financial aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, toll fee exemptions for provincial buses and terminal fee waivers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) through the end of the year.
Additionally, the government is maintaining monthly terminal fee waivers across 86 SM public transport terminals nationwide, a 50 percent fare discount on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, one-peso roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminal fees, and ongoing “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) programs operated by various state agencies.
“Ilan lamang po ito sa mga ibinibigay na tulong ng ating pamahalaan para maibsan kahit na papaano or kakaunti ang nangyayaring krisis sa Middle East, Hindi pa po dito iyan magtatapos,” Castro said, adding that further measures are being prepared.
“So hinahanda po ng Pangulo, ang maari pang mangyari dahil po talaga natin kontrolado ang nangyayari sa Middle East,” she added.
When asked about the proposed suspension of excise taxes on crude oil following Dubai crude breaching $80 per barrel, Castro disclosed that the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is slated to submit its formal recommendations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. within the week, assuring that the President will act swiftly on the submission.