The president of the National Confederation of Transportation Organizations (CONATRA), Antonio Marte, requested the Government to freeze the prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for six months, as well as premium and regular diesel, used in the domestic, industrial, cargo and passenger transport sectors.
The leader explained that, if this measure were adopted, increases in the prices of the family basket, goods, and services would be avoided. Likewise, he assured that for the moment the union does not plan to increase fares, despite the recent increase of five pesos in fuels ordered by the authorities.
Mars warned that the transportation sector would not withstand further increases in inputs without a readjustment in passenger fares, proportional to the increases in fuels.
He indicated that during the last quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, the sector has faced increases of between 18% and 20% in operating costs, including tolls, insurance, unit acquisition, tires, batteries, lubricants, greases, and mechanical parts, as well as labor.
In addition to this, according to what was explained, are the salary increase, interest rates, the dollar’s fluctuation, and the high costs of repairing engines, transmissions, and other components, which has significantly impacted the financial stability of the carriers.
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The president of Conatra pointed out that the union’s technicians are monitoring possible future variations in fuel prices, while reiterating that the sector faces an economic burden that, according to him, keeps it on the verge of bankruptcy.
Finally, he maintained that each increase in fuel prices causes a chain effect on operating costs, forcing carriers to resort to loans from formal and informal banks, often with high interest rates, in order to keep their units running.
