By ADELA DEYAEN WAYAS
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Benny Dacpano, Samahan ng mga Taxi sa Cordillera (STC) vice president in Baguio, said that Judge Robert Mabalot once again opposed their proposed P40 flagdown rate for the first 400 meters.

Due to the opposition and as earlier agreed, the petition will now be brought to the central office of LTFRB in Quezon City for proper processing and decision.

Their proposal for a P40 flagdown rate and an additional P2 for the next succeeding 150 meters and P2 for every 1 minute and 30 seconds waiting time rate, was transmitted this March 25, Friday.

It could be recalled that after a public hearing last Monday, March 21, taxi drivers and operators were happy that no opposition was raised to their petition for a provisional P15 fare increase.

While no official increase has been decided, the provisional increase would suffice as supplemental income.

However, the following day, an opposition was filed at the LTFRB regional office. He said they are perplexed why the representative of Mabalot would stall their petition when they have been present during the earlier public hearings.

Mabalot urged the board to dismiss the Urgent Petition of the STC and focus on the hearing of their main proposal. Mabalot’s position is for a P15 additional fare on top the cost of the meter reading. Mabalot Taxi has some 7 units owned and named to Jane Mabalot.

The P15 add on would not entail another recalibration of the taxi meters, and it would save any additional expense on the part of the operator.

Dacpano said that their first proposal during the first public hearing last February on taxi fare hike was also opposed by Mabalot.

Dacpano said they asked for a provisional fare increase because of the continuous oil price hikes. He said drivers and operators can no longer bear the weekly increase.

Dacpano said their group will forward their main petition to the central office and would no longer ask for a provisional fare hike.

Meanwhile, Dacpano also called for the repeal of the Oil deregulation law. He said he supports the new law filed in Congress authored by Representative Teddy Casino and other progressive party list representatives pushing for the repeal of the law.

He said that to stop the continuous oil price increases, the government should act now and regulate the oil industry in the country.

In the city, the Sangguniang Panglungsod approved the invitation for Oil company representatives to justify the oil prices. According to Councilor Fred Bagabagen the oil prices in the city is higher compared to nearby regions and provinces.

The representatives of the oil companies are expected to attend the council session on Monday, March 28. # nordis.net