TAGBILARAN CITY – The ripple effect is expected to impact transportation costs as the transport (tourist included) and sea vessels plan to hike their respective fare rates, aside from the latter’s reducing the number of their daily voyage.
Bohol Confederation of Tourist Transport Providers (BCTTP) said in its meeting recently made assessment on the impact of higher fuel costs on their operations and the sea vessels ferrying passengers and tourists from Cebu to Bohol and back to hike their fare rates as much as 20% of the regular rates.
Ms. LV Sarmiento, BCTTP president said that transport services is one most affected of the fuel hike, hence her group decided to adjust their rates for the incoming bookings, except those already booked ahead prior to middle east escalating tension.
Trans-Asia, in its advisory, said that to sustain their operations and continue serving the riding public and our cargo clients, it set to impose 20% fuel surcharge adjustment. And it is not only fare adjustment but also cargo hike rates.
So far, no approved fare rates increase, just yet, by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), while the city government has yet to approve the trike fares despite the fact that a lot of trike operators are taking advantage of the situation.
Report from Department of Trade and Industry here said that supply and prices rates of basic commodities remain stable and could supply up to 90 days. It would take 200 days more that rice supply will last.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Fausto Budlong urged the national government to temporarily suspend the imposition of fuel excise tax, but missed to mention the suspension also of the value added tax (VAT) on petrol products to ease the rising public sentiments.
Catigbian town Mayor Benjie Oliva warns gas station not to take advantage of the volatile situation but to observe policy on prescribed petrol pricing or face the revocation of their business permits if found violating the said policy. (Ric Obedencio)
