MARCH 30, 2026 — Eight bus companies serving Bicol routes are now under fire for illegally hiking fares just days before Holy Week, despite a presidential order suspending fare increases. The LTFRB has vowed sanctions, including possible suspension or cancellation of franchises, as commuters cry foul over being exploited at the worst possible time.

Here’s the scene: thousands of Filipinos are scrambling to get home for Holy Week, fuel prices are climbing, and suddenly, eight bus firms decide to jack up fares without approval. The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) caught them red-handed, reporting the violations to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

PITX official Jason Salvador admitted, “As of count, mga walo na ‘yung naitala namin. So nagbabantay pa rin tayo.” 

(As of count, we have recorded about eight. So we are still monitoring.)

LTFRB Board Member Greg Pua said, “Let me just remind our bus operators, especially now that it is Holy Week, don’t take advantage, don’t exploit this crisis … We will not hesitate to suspend or cancel your franchises once violations are proven.”

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez echoed the threat, stressing that unauthorized fare hikes could lead to franchise suspension.

The government’s stance is clear: no fare hikes until further notice. But with fuel prices climbing nonstop, can we really blame operators for trying to survive and keep their businesses afloat?

(Image: PITX)