PASANG MASDA FILES PETITION FOR P1 PROVISIONAL FARE HIKE

THE transport group Pasang Masda on Saturday said it will ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a provisional fare increase of P1.

Pasang Masda president Obet Martin also said if the prices of petroleum products normalize, the provisional P1 fare increase will be recalled.

Oil firms recently implemented a new round of price hikes for diesel products earlier this month.

Oil Industry Management Bureau

Assistant Director Rodela Romero, quoted by GMA News Online, however, said that the prices of diesel may have no adjustment or will have a rollback of P0.20 per liter this coming week

Other transport groups Manibela and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga

BUCOR CHIEF ORDERS DISMANTLING OF ‘KUBOLS‘ IN ALL PRISON FACILITIES

THE head of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) ordered the dismantling of all “kubols” or makeshift rooms in all prison facilities in the country.

Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. in a statement said this is part of BuCor’s crackdown on contraband inside prison cells.

“We ask them to demolish it for transparency... We need to do this so that we can confiscate contrabands still in possession of PDLs. They are fully aware that we have given them chances to surrender all their contraband but if they still refuse and they are caught red-handed, I’m sorry to say that they will have to stay longer at NBP as we will not hesitate to file charges against them,” Catapang, in the statement said.

The BuCor also reported that

PDLs at the New Bilibid Prison voluntarily dismantled 60 makeshift rooms or kubols located at the security housing building 1 and 6 NBP North, SHB 9 NBP East Quadrant 4 and SHB 7 NBP West Quadrant 2, while the dismantling of kubol in Quadrant 3

Maximum security compound is still ongoing.

Catapang also warned that starting Monday, BuCor personnel from the Diversified Maintenance Unit will tear down “kubols” still installed inside the NBP.

He added that he has instructed newly-appointed Deputy Director General for Operations, Gil Torralba to lead the operation, as well as the Greyhound (Galugad) operation that will be conducted regularly at the national penitentiary.

Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) meanwhile clarified that they were not seeking a fare hike, but the junking of the Oil DeregulationLaw and the excise tax on fuel.

Manibela President Mar Valbuena in a radio interview on Super Radyo dzBB, confirmed that the group is not asking for the fare hike.

Valbuena said there is already a memorandum circular from the LTFRB indicating an automatic fare adjustment if there are movements in the prices of oil.

PISTON also reiterated that rollbacks on oil and fuel taxes would be helpful for drivers and operators.

“Sa ngayon, halos P250 kada araw ang nawawalang kita ng mga driver dahil sa mataas na presyo ng petrolyo... Kung kami ay nakaka-30 liters per day sa loob ng 25 days, halos 7,000 pesos ang nawawalang kita sa loob ng 25 days.” PISTON National President Mody Floranda said on Super Radyo dzBB.

According to Manibela, the provision of an adequate fuel subsidy at the soonest possible time would be the best solution to the issue.

Silanga also lambasted businessman Ramon Ang for his earlier statements claiming that the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) projects have nothing to do with the bay area flooding.

“The project may cause flooding if the channels in which the waters flow out are blocked by the reclamation materials,” Silanga said.

Reports by Kalikasan PNE have found that Mega Manila, Cavite, and Central Luzon will be the most affected by the flooding should the reclamation projects ensue.