ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) committee on transportation is eyeing a P15 uniformed fare rate in tricycles operating here.
Councilor Romel Duron, committee chairman, proposed an ordinance imposing fare increase to all tricycles-for-hire in this city, amending Regulation Ordinance No.00-143.
Under the draft ordinance, the proposed minimum regular fare is P15 for the first two kilometers and an additional P1 for the succeeding kilometers.
The proposed amendment of the 21-year ordinance came after the Metro Iloilo Association of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association filed a petition for a fare increase through Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Duron received complaints from commuters regarding overpriced or non-uniform fare rates imposed by some tricycle drivers and operators.
The old ordinance, approved in October 2000, set the regular fare rate at P3.50.
Amending the ordinance, according to Duron, would not only benefit commuters but also tricycle drivers and operators, especially with the hike in fuel costs in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
Duron said there is a need to come up with a “win-win” solution.
“While the city government sympathizes on the welfare of the riding public, the current tricycle fare is not sufficient to sustain the needs of the tricycle drivers,” the proposed measure read.
On Friday, Duron’s committee held a committee hearing/consultative meeting with the transport sector regarding the fare rate. It also attended by representatives from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO).
According to Duron, he gave the drivers and operators one week to submit their suggestions on the proposed tricycle fare hike.
This, according Duron, would be considered in the finalization of the amendment.
“Kay waay sila taripa nga husto so butangan ta sila taripa which will serve as guide. Ibutang nila sa ila tricycle. Madihon kita sang ordinansa based sa ila suggestions,” said Duron.
Duron noted all things would be weighed in: the driver’s boundary rate, fuel consumptions and route distance, among others.
Duron noted that all the proposals and petitions will be submitted to the Iloilo City Tricycle Franchising Regulatory Board, which is chaired by Treñas.
On the other hand, Duron said they may also incorporate a proposal from a member of a transport group that all the drivers unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 would not be allowed to take trips. Unvaccinated passengers will also not be catered to.
Duron believes the proposal is “not discriminatory.”
“Indi man guro because we are talking about the welfare of the people,” said Duron.
“Parehas diri sa aton sa city hall – indi ka kasulod kon indi ka vaccinated, ngaa indi ta ‘na ma-enforce sa salakyan?” Duron asked./PN
