The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is preparing to submit its recommendation on pending petitions for higher public transport fares to the Department of Transportation in October.
LTFRB Acting Chairperson Greg Pua Jr. said the agency needs additional time to assess the impact of the wage increase scheduled to take effect on September 25 before making its recommendation.
Pua said the board will consider whether commuters can afford higher fares, the government assistance being provided to drivers and operators, and the possible effect of any fare adjustment on inflation.
The development comes as transport operators continue to face higher fuel and operating costs. The LTFRB has previously approved fare increases for several public transport sectors, while additional petitions remain pending for consideration.
For Central Visayas, the issue has remained particularly sensitive as transport groups have repeatedly raised concerns over fuel prices and operating expenses. LTFRB-7 has also been implementing fuel assistance programs for public utility vehicle operators and drivers in the region.
More than 19,000 PUV units in Central Visayas had received fuel subsidies as of September 2026, according to the Philippine Information Agency. Eligible diesel-powered jeepneys and UV Express units have also been able to receive a P12-per-liter fuel discount, subject to program requirements.
Pua said the LTFRB is also seeking to increase the fuel discount from P12 to P20 per liter and extend the benefit to cooperatives and corporations that purchase diesel in bulk. The agency has likewise asked that eligible jeepneys and UV Express units using expressways be considered for the toll-free privilege currently granted to provincial buses.
The timing of the recommendation means commuters may have to wait until October for a clearer picture of whether another fare adjustment will be pursued and how much it could affect daily transportation costs.
Until an official adjustment is approved and implemented, commuters should continue paying only the fares reflected in the latest authorized fare matrices and report suspected overcharging to the LTFRB.
