Oil price regulation pushed anew

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— The Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators [Acto] may have renewed its call to increase the minimum jeepney fare by P2 but fellow transport group, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide [Piston], insisted that the solution to their fare problems was the regulation of the price of petroleum products.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer on Monday, Piston president George San Mateo said that the lingering fare issue between operators and passengers would be solved if the government decides to regulate the price of petroleum products in the country.

“The government is quick to lower the fare when the price of petroleum products changes. It however acts slowly when there is an increase in the price of petroleum products and we ask for a fare hike,” he said.

“We understand that is political suicide,” said the Piston leader.

Acto plans to revive a petition for fare increase which they filed last year.

“What Acto is asking for, we recognize that. But that may pose a negative effect on operators and passengers. We do not subscribe to deregulating fare just because the price of petroleum products is deregulated,” San Mateo said.

For more of the interview, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990