The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will meet with transport groups on Monday to hear petitions seeking fare increases for jeepneys, UV Express units, motorcycle taxis and taxis amid rising fuel prices.

Three transport groups have filed separate petitions for jeepney fare hikes, seeking increases ranging from P2 to P10.

“Sa jeepney, tatlong grupo, iba-iba ang petisyon nila. Isang grupo, ang hinihingi dalawang piso; 'yung isang grupo, P5; 'yung isang grupo, P10,” LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said.

Mendoza said the hearing will allow transport groups to explain the basis of their petitions, while commuter and student groups will also be given an opportunity to present their positions.

“This would give them the opportunity to present their side,” Mendoza said.

The LTFRB will consider several factors in evaluating the petitions, including wages, inflation and fuel prices. Mendoza noted that the wide gap in the requested fare increases poses a challenge for the board.

“Hindi namin maintindihan kung paano gagawin kung ganyang napakalawak ng kanilang hinihingi,” he said.

The petitions come as volatile fuel prices, driven by tensions in the Middle East, continue to affect public transport operators. In July, transport groups Manibela and Piston staged strikes in Metro Manila to press for fare increases.

Mendoza said the board is also studying the possibility of interim fare adjustments that could be reviewed monthly while fuel prices remain unstable, stressing the need to balance the interests of operators and commuters.

“'Yan ang pinakamahirap na desisyon ng board, binabalanse natin ang interes ng operator at interes ng commuters. But definitely, 'yung popularity of the decision is not a factor in our decision. Ang problema naman diyan, kung hindi natin i-aakyat, baka hindi na bumiyahe itong mga sasakyan natin,” he said.