Transport group Pagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) urged the government to suspend the collection of excise tax on petroleum products.
PISTON president Mody Floranda made the call anew after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved a fare increase for public utility vehicles.
The transport group leader stressed on Sunday, September 18, that the suspension of excise tax will bring down the price of basic commodities, which will benefit everyone and not just the public transportation sector.
"Ito yung sanhi nung patuloy na pogtaas ng mga bilihin," said Floranda during DZRH's Maynila Ito ang Pilipinas.
"Ano ba yung talagang kailangan resolbahin ng pamahalaan? Yung tanggalin yung buwis sa produktong petrolyo para lahat ay mag-benefit at hindi lang ang isang sektor ng lipunan," he added.
Floranda admitted that commuters have mixed reactions regarding the fare hike.
"Yung iba ay nauunawaan yung kalagayan natin sa public transport dahil sa ngayon nasa Php 77 yung presyo ng per liter ng diesel sa ating bansa. Yung iba naman ay siyempre nakikita na yung piso ay malaking bagay sa kanila dahil sa maliit na sahod," Floranda explained.
"Nawawalan ng saysay yung dagdag pasahe dahil inililipat lang yung sisi sa mga driver, inililipat lang ng gobyerno," he stressed.
Based on the announcement of LTFRB on Friday, September 16, the minimum fare for traditional PUJs will climb up to Php 14 while modern PUJs will increase to Php 14.
LTFRB also approved increasing the minimum fare to Php 13 for the non-airconditioned city bus, Php 15 for the air-conditioned city buses, and Php 11 for the non-airconditioned provincial buses.
The fare increase will take effect on October 4.
