Gov’t not keen on PUV fare hike, but…

September 22, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Malacañang on Tuesday said the government is not leaning towards hiking fares for public utility vehicles amid the rising prices of fuel, but did not rule out the possibility for now.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the remarks after transport groups called on the government to approve fare hikes for PUVs.

She cited Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez’s pronouncement that raising PUV fares is a last resort.

“Mabigat po talaga kasi kung pagsasabay-sabayin lahat, so noon pa naman ang gusto ng Pangulo ay balanshado, tumaas man ang presyo ng krudo ay hindi naman masyadong mararamdaman ng ating mga commuters,” Castro said.

“Hindi po kasi sa ngayon inclined talaga na magtaas ng pamasahe para sa ating mga kababayan, pero hindi po naman sinasara ang pintuan patungkol po dito. Hangga’t kakayanin lang po na ibigay muna ang tulong sa ating mga tsuper sa transport sector nang hindi tataas ang pamasahe, iyon po muna ang ginagawa ng administrasyon,” she added.

As to recommendations on the fate of the fuel excise tax, Castro said this will be out within this week.

“Nabigyan po tayo ng update patungkol po diyan at patapos na po ang kanilang rekomendasyon, siguro most probably by this week ay mabibigay na po nila sa Pangulo,” she said.