Son travels alone to his father’s funeral as provincial bus fares spike

MANILA, Philippines – Construction worker Angelo Mendiola, 43, only travels to his home province in Bicol for important occasions. He usually brings his family with him. But not this time.

On Monday, March 16, he traveled alone.

Mendiola’s 62-year-old father died on Sunday, March 15, following a heart attack. With provincial bus fares rising, he said he could only buy one ticket to go home.

“Hindi sumama (ang aking pamilya) kasi walang budget. Kulang,” he said while waiting at a bus station in Cubao, Quezon City, on Monday morning. (My family can’t go because there’s no budget. It’s not enough.)

“Medyo mataas kapag uuwi kami lahat. Ako na lang muna,” he added. (It’s a bit expensive if we all go home. I’ll just go alone for now.)

To save money, he took an ordinary bus, which now costs around P700, up from around P600. He used to ride an airconditioned bus, which jumped from P800 to P925 under the new rates.

For 46-year-old Evelyn, a domestic helper based in Manila, the recent fare hike came as a surprise. The fare to her home province, Aurora, used to be P590 — now it has jumped to P690.

“Pangkain sana ‘yun [nadagdag sa pamasahe]. Pero ok lang. Ganoon talaga, walang magagawa,” she told Rappler while waiting at a bus station on Monday. (That was supposed to be for food. But it’s okay. That’s just how it is, there’s nothing I can do.)

Evelyn is traveling home to see her one-year-old child.

The fare hike for provincial buses took effect on Saturday, March 14, following an order from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The adjustment, approved on Friday, March 13, sets fares based on the type of bus and distance traveled.

The LTFRB said the increase responds to rising fuel prices, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Angelo and Evelyn are just two of millions of commuters affected by the increase in provincial bus fares. But the pain caused by the fare hike increase may soon not just hit those traveling to province and vice versa but even commuters in Metro Manila.

According to a World Bank report, around 21 % of the 5.8 million employed persons in Metro Manila in 2020 — over 1 million people — commute daily between Metro Manila and nearby regions, such as CALABARZON and Central Luzon, for work and other purposes.

The increase is expected to extend to jeepneys and city buses in Metro Manila.

LTFRB chief Vigor Mendoza III said the new fare adjustments will be announced on Tuesday, March 17. He also confirmed that ride-hailing apps have filed appeals to raise their rates. – Rappler.com