By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

UNDOC: PISTON already filed before the central office

The United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) confirmed yesterday they will not be filing a fare hike petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region VI (LTFRB-6), saying transport party-list Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) already appealed for a fare increase to P10 before the central LTFRB office.

According to UNDOC Secretary-General Diego Malacad, if they filed before the regional office, it would still be forwarded to the same office in Metro Manila.

UNDOC, alongside Sentrong Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Negros (SSTONE), earlier appealed for fare hikes, citing rising fuel prices.

However, last week, UNDOC said they were campaigning for a fare increase to P7.50.

Earlier this year, when arguing against the government proposal to do away with obsolete jeepneys, Malacad warned, if the plan went through, fares would rise once public utility vehicles (PUVs) were equipped with engines compliant with Euro 4 emission standards./DGB, WDJ