Palace: Gov't not inclined to enact fare hike, but possibility is there

The Palace on Tuesday said the government is not inclined to pass fare hikes across different public utility vehicles (PUV), but has not closed the door on this proposal. Several transport groups have called upon the government to allow the implementation of a fare hike following the oil price hike driven by the Middle East conflict. “Mabigat po talaga kasi kung pagsasabay-sabayin lahat, so noon pa naman ang gusto ng Pangulo ay balanshado, tumaas man ang presyo ng krudo ay hindi naman masyadong mararamdaman ng ating mga commuters,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. Castro, citing Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, said the government is exhausting every means to help both transport workers and commuters. Lopez, as quoted by Castro, said that raising the fare was a “last resort”. “Hindi po kasi sa ngayon incline talaga na magtaas ng pamasahe para sa ating mga kababayan, pero hindi po naman sinasara ang pintuan patungkol po dito. Hangga’t kakayanin lang po na ibigay muna ang tulong sa ating mga tsuper sa transport sector nang hindi tataas ang pamasahe, iyon po muna ang ginagawa ng administrasyon,” Castro said. Excise tax suspension The Department of Energy has certified that the conditions for the excise tax suspension have been met after crude oil has surpassed $80 dollars per barrel. They have also sent the required document to Malacañang. Castro also said the decision on the suspension of the excise taxes will be out within the week. “Nabigyan po tayo ng update patungkol po diyan at patapos na po ang kanilang rekomendasyon, siguro most probably by this week ay mabibigay na po nila sa Pangulo,” Castro said. Castro assured that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will immediately implement the suspension if needed. — BAP, GMA News