The planned discounted fares in Public Utility vehicles (PUVs) in Metro Manila will no longer be pushed through, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista announced on Wednesday.
In an interview with the reporters, Bautista said the P1.2 billion budget allocated for the discount is too small, considering that there are many routes.
"May millions tayong sumasakay sa land. Kung ibibigay natin [ang] discount sa napakaikling panahon lang, ubos na agad 'yun," he said.
Instead of fare discounts, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will instead implement targeted ayuda or financial assistance to jeepney drivers and operators in selected routes.
"Mas mabuting pagusapan natin na imbes discount ang ibibigay natin. Tutulungan natin yung mga drivers and operators sa mga naluluging ruta," he said.
The fare discounts are supposed to be implemented this April as announced by the LTFRB Chairman Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz III last March.
The previous plan was to revert the minimum fare to the pre-pandemic fee of Php 9 from the current Php 12 in traditional jeepneys.
