Justice in 50 cents

I remember a couple of weeks ago, the Jeepney fare hiked up from P8 to P8.50. Incidentally, I ended up sitting in front seat, beside a woman who had an MMDA logo on her shirt. Basically, I was sandwiched between her and the driver. It started out as as simple he talks, she talks scenario that turned into a sort of argument. The lady, although she did not seem like one, kept claiming that although it has been publicly announced that the fare would be raised, they first needed some sort of permit before the drivers could start charging the commuters that raised price. I think she called it "taripa" or probably a tariff of sorts. The driver kept insisting that the LTO themselves said that they wouldn't be releasing new tariffs this year.

I found no particular importance on who was telling the truth. The woman kept insisting that the drivers should go to LTO and request for a tariff, and the driver keeps insisting that LTO will not release one. In the end, the driver just told the lady that if she did not want to pay the extra fifty cents, then don't. He will gladly accept it from those who are willing to pay, but if you don't, then don't.

What the woman said probably makes sense, in a system that works, a timely government that acts, and society that does not have more than a good share of its population in poverty. These people, blue-collar workers, commuters, aren't in different situations. Everyone is working to get by another day. It's been decided that the fare would hike, officially even, and yet some people would refuse these drivers of fifty cents. 

What's worse, just when it had been announced that the fare would roll back to P8, everyone wanted it immediately. They cared not of tariffs and such, they wanted to roll back now. I heard one commuter reason out that it had been announced in the news, so they should charge P8 only. It seemed unfair. 

I don't know why these incidents stuck in memory, but I felt a sort of injustice when it happened. That woman earlier? I would bet my fingers that she paid P8 the moment it was announced in the news, with or without the tariff, or whatever proper permits that may have been needed.

However, I'm not at all well informed with these types of things, so I shouldn't judge. God knows there are a number of dishonest drivers out there charging more than they should. But I believe it was fair and just to give those drivers what they deserve, the added P.50 cents.