PUJ fare now P10

There is no God -- that's the conclusion of the celebrated physicist Stephen Hawking, whose final book is published Tuesday.

The book, which was completed by his family after his death, presents answers to the questions that Hawking said he received most during his time on Earth.

Other bombshells the British scientist left his readers with include the belief that alien life is out there, artificial intelligence could outsmart humans and time travel can't be ruled out.

Hawking, considered one of the most brilliant scientists of his generation, died in March at the age of 76.

"There is no God. No one directs the universe," he writes in "Brief Answers to the Big Questions."

"For centuries, it was believed that disabled people like me were living under a curse that was inflicted by God," he adds. "I prefer to think that everything can be explained another way, by the laws of nature."

Hawking suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disorder also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, for most of his adult life.

The scientist died while still working on the book, which his family and colleagues finished with the help of his vast personal archives.

While Hawking spoke of his lack of belief in God during his life, several of his other answers are more surprising.

"There are forms of intelligent life out there," he writes. "We need to be wary of answering back until we have developed a bit further."

And he leaves open the possibility of other phenomena.

"Travel back in time can't be ruled out according to our present understanding," he says. He also predicts that "within the next hundred years we will be able to travel to anywhere in the Solar System." THE LAND TRANSPORTATION Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved a P2 fare increase for public utility jeeps.

LTFRB granted the petition filed by various transport groups seeking for a permanent fare hike for jeeps from P8 to P10. “The Board hereby resolves to grant the petition for a fare increase, to make permanent the provisional increase of P1 granted on July 6, 2018 and an additional P1 for the first four kilometers or a minimum fare of P10 from the original fare of P8,” LTFRB decision read.

The decision shall be effective 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general or local circulation.

However, the Board clarified that drivers must not impose the new jeepney fare yet as it has yet to release an official copy of the decision.

“Please be informed that the LTFRB will release an official copy once the document is signed by the LTFRB Executive Director and marked as docketed. We request drivers to wait until the LTFRB releases the official document on the fare hike before charging any additional fare,” the LTFRB said.

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said they will decide on the jeepney fare hike which is aimed at mitigating the impact of a series of oil price increases in the country. He said they strive to come up with a fare structure that will balance the welfare of the riding public and ensure sustainable income for jeepney operators and drivers.