Piston Hits LTFRB for Reducing Student Discount

The Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston or United Nationwide Association of Drivers and Operators) in Metro Baguio hit the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for reducing the student fare discount in response to the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association in the Philippines (Fejodap) fare hike proposal.

BY KIM QUITASOL
NORTHERN DISPATCH
Posted by Bulatlat

BAGUIO CITY - The Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston or United Nationwide Association of Drivers and Operators) in Metro Baguio hit the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for reducing the student fare discount in response to the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association in the Philippines (Fejodap) fare hike proposal.

Piston-Metro Baguio Chair Lito Wayas also called for the junking of the oil deregulation law in a noise barrage in protest of the latest oil price increases at the Igorot Park here on June 6.

The LTFRB in Metro Baguio recently reduced the student discount, in effect increasing the transport fare of students from P6 to P7, following a proposal from LTFRB chair Elena Bautista.

“Drivers and operators also have families. We have children who go to school. Like other poor families, we are also affected by increases in prices of basic goods and services including fare increases. The decrease in student fare discount would also mean additional expenses for us,” Wayas explained in Ilocano.

Wayas said the scrapping of the oil deregulation law is the long-term solution to the unrelenting oil price hikes.

“Without the said law, the government will regain its control over the country’s oil industry, and in a way regulate oil prices,” Wayas said. He said that although drivers and operators welcome fare hikes, these are just short-term solutions. “Fare hikes help drivers and operators cope with the current prices of oil based products and basic commodities for a certain period. However, this only passes on the buck to commuters.” Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat

© 2006 Bulatlat ■  Alipato Publications

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