Baguio: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has urged the public to support the transport sector in managing rising fuel costs by voluntarily paying a PHP20 minimum fare. Glen Dumlao, regional director of the Department of Transportation-CAR and the concurrent LTFRB regional director, emphasized the collective effort needed, stating, "We are asking the public to be one with the drivers. We help them and they will help us by ensuring that they ferry us to and from our destinations."

According to Philippines News Agency, jeepney drivers have ceased express trips, opting to travel only if passengers are present to conserve fuel and maintain a daily income between PHP300 and PHP350 for 12 to 16 hours of work. The LTFRB had previously approved a PHP1 increase in the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys, raising it from PHP13 to PHP14, with an additional PHP2 for every kilometer. Modern jeepneys were granted a PHP2 increase in the minimum fare, from PHP15 to PHP17, plus PHP2.30 for every subsequent kilometer. However, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of this fare hike scheduled for March 19, due to the potential financial impact on Filipinos already affected by the Middle East crisis.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the local public utility jeepney federation requested the LTFRB's approval for a PHP20 minimum fare and an additional PHP2 per kilometer to offset the rising fuel prices. Dumlao noted that the proposal is voluntary, and passengers should not file complaints, as fare increases are ultimately decided by the LTFRB central office in Manila.

In a separate interview, Wilson Bumay-et, president of the Baguio-Benguet jeepney federation, highlighted the necessity of the measure to sustain their livelihoods, explaining that drivers cannot continue operating if they do not earn enough. He reported long passenger queues at loading areas in the town proper on Monday, which continued late into the night, prompting them to seek advice from the LTFRB.

Darryl Kim Longid, chief of the Baguio City Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), also appealed to private vehicle owners to assist in transporting passengers. "It is also nice to have someone to talk to while driving to work. It also helps those in need of transportation to go to work or school and back home," Longid commented.