Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to begin public consultations on pending requests for higher public transport fares, following recent rises in oil prices. The instruction follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s guidance to balance the needs of transport workers facing higher costs with the financial burden on commuters.
Secretary Lopez noted that careful review of the petitions is essential, as fare adjustments could affect overall inflation—the top concern cited by Filipinos in recent Pulse Asia surveys. While headline inflation slowed to 6.4 percent in June 2026 from 6.8 percent in May, averaging 4.8 percent for the first six months of the year, officials remain mindful of how fare changes may influence household expenses.
The secretary confirmed that several fare hike petitions have been submitted, and consultations will be held across all regions alongside discussions with key stakeholders. He also assured the public that existing support for transport workers continues, including the P10 per liter fuel subsidy program. Authorities are now assessing whether to extend or expand this assistance to help ease cost pressures without passing them fully to commuters.
The move comes as transport group Manibela launched a two-day nationwide strike on Wednesday to push for a P2 fare increase. At present, the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys stands at P13.
