The petition to increase the minimum fare in public utility jeepneys (PUJs) nationwide by ₱2 is being studied, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Monday, August 14.

In an official statement, LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo 'Jojo' Guadiz III said that they are carefully studying, reviewing, and validating the many factors that needed to be considered before approving the proposed fare hikes.

"We understand the urgency of the situation and that is why the Board will convene to determine if the fare hike request has merit," he added.

Guadiz said the LTFRB recognizes the rights of every jeepney operator and driver to file a petition for a fare increase.

On Friday, August 11, four jeepney groups namely Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP Inc.), Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Stop and Go Transportation Incorp., and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) filed a joint petition seeking for a ₱2 increase for every four kilometers.

The groups cited the uncontrollable surge of fuel and diesel prices, as well as the high cost of parts and throttle body alignment (TBA)s.

As of August 15, oil companies have implemented another round of pumped fuel prices, with gasoline rising by ₱1.90 per liter, diesel by ₱1.50 per liter, and kerosene by ₱2.50 per liter.