LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—The Benguet Provincial Board is urging all public utility jeepney and taxi operators to strictly follow official fare rates as students return to classes amid nationwide fuel price rollbacks.
Board Member Armando Lauro, chairperson of the committee on public utilities and transportation, introduced Proposed Resolution No. SP12-R-088 to protect commuters from overcharging filed during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s session, coinciding with the reopening of schools in the country.
The resolution clarified that a local P20 voluntary minimum fare practiced by some operators must remain entirely optional and drivers cannot force passengers to pay that rate, especially given declining commercial oil prices.
Instead, operators must adhere strictly to the official fare matrix approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The measure also reminds drivers that the 20% statutory discount for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities under Republic Act No. 11314 remains fully protected.
Provincial officials emphasized that these discounts must be honored without exception every day, including weekends and holidays.
Copies of the resolution were sent to transport federations and the LTFRB Cordillera Administrative Region office to ensure prompt enforcement across the province. John Larry ‘Lala Dy’ Agtarap |UC Intern
