By Raheema Velasco

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ensures that there will be no other round of fare hikes until the end of 2022.

“Ngayong holiday season, mas mabuting hindi muna tayo magtaas ng pamsahe para madagdagan naman yung pang-shopping ng ating mga pasahero,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters. 

(This holiday season, it's better to avoid raising fares to allot more budget on our passengers' shopping.)

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved fake hikes on public utility vehicles (PUVs) took effect last October 3. 

The minimum fares are as follows:

P12 for traditional jeepneys with additional P1.80 for every succeeding kilometer

P14 for modern jeepneys with additional P2.20 for every succeeding kilometer

P13 for ordinary buses with an additional P2.25 for every succeeding kilometer

P15 for air-conditioned buses with an additional P2.65 for every succeeding kilometer

P45 flag down for taxis

P55 flag down for AUV/SUV type transport network vehicle service (TNVS)

P35 flagdown for hatchback-type TNVS

Bautista said that the "long overdue" fare hikes were prompted by rising inflation and fuel prices.

"Our drivers earn so little because of the increase in the prices of gasoline and maintenance. Because of inflation, we also have to adjust the fare rates," he said.

Last October 5, Focus Economics, a provider of economic analysis and forecasts in 200 countries, including the Philippines, projected that country's inflation would hit 4.9 percent in 2022.

The Philippines' inflation rate was 6.9 percent in September, which is higher than the August inflation rate of 6.3 percent.

According to the proposed 2023 budget, the projected inflation rate of the country this year will range from 4.5 to 5.5 percent and will gradually taper off to settle between 2.5 to 4.5 percent in 2023.