MANILA, Philippines — February 17, 2026. Transport group Pasang Masda is seeking a ₱1 provisional fare hike for jeepneys, citing successive increases in petroleum prices that have severely affected drivers’ earnings.

Pasang Masda president Obet Martin said the group has been lobbying the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the adjustment since the term of former chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III. 

“Iisa ang damdamin ng ating mga nasa hanay ng jeepney, talagang nabibigatan na kami,” Martin told Super Radyo dzBB, stressing that the burden of rising fuel costs has cut drivers’ and operators’ income by an estimated 30 to 40 percent.

The group emphasized that the provisional fare hike is necessary to cushion the impact of oil price increases, which have continued for several weeks. Martin explained that without the adjustment, many jeepney drivers may struggle to sustain their daily operations.

The LTFRB is expected to review the petition, which comes amid broader calls from transport groups for relief measures to address the rising cost of fuel. Commuters, however, have expressed concern that another fare hike would add to the financial strain on households already coping with inflation.

This latest push underscores the ongoing tension between transport operators seeking economic relief and commuters wary of higher costs. The decision of the LTFRB will be closely watched, as it could set the tone for how the government balances the interests of public transport workers and passengers in the face of volatile oil prices.