MANILA - Malacañang on Friday appealed for understanding from Filipinos as they endure another round of fare hikes.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board recently approved a 2-peso fare increase for public utility jeepneys starting Nov. 3, bringing the minimum fare to P10.

It also gave the green light on an across-the-board provisional fare hike for provincial and city buses. This will raise the minimum fare of Metro Manila buses to P11 from P10, and that of provincial buses to P13 from P12.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government had no choice but to allow the fare hikes due to the soaring oil prices in the world market.

“We have to accept the fact na talagang masama ang panahon, so magtiis muna tayo,” Panelo told radio dzRH.

“Hindi natin kontrolado ngayon iyong panahon kung saan nagtataasan ang presyo ng langis and apektado ang lahat, globally. But hopefully, that will taper down kasi history naman shows, bumababa rin naman ang presyo ng langis ‘di ba?”

Calls have grown louder for the approval of a wage increase for Metro Manila workers following fare hikes on buses and jeepneys on top of rising prices of goods.