Roxas City trike drivers seek PHP 5 fare hike

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Tricycle operators and drivers here are pushing for a PHP 5 fare hike due to rising fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East.

An emergency meeting was recently held between Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas and the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association to discuss the proposed fare increase in the city.

According to Joseph Soberano, focal person of the Roxas City Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, members are amenable to the proposal, saying they have been heavily affected by rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of basic commodities.

However, he said there could still be changes since the Sangguniang Panlungsod will first conduct a public consultation before any increase is finalized.

At present, the regular tricycle fare is PHP 15, with an additional PHP 5 for each succeeding kilometer, while students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities pay PHP 10.

If approved, the regular fare would increase to PHP 20.

The meeting was held to help the Roxas City government balance the impact of a fare increase on both the riding public and tricycle drivers and operators in the city.

Meanwhile, Jovert Carandang, chairman of Hugpong Capiz, called for the abolition of the 12 percent value-added tax on petroleum products.

He said jeepney drivers now have little to take home to their families because much of their earnings go to fuel.

To help drivers, the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide is set to file a petition for a provisional PHP 5 fare increase at the central office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Metro Manila on Monday, March 16.

If approved, the increase will be implemented nationwide.

Aside from the fare hike, the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB are set to release around PHP 2.5 billion in fuel subsidies for drivers and operators.

He said drivers of jeepneys, modern jeepneys, UV Express units, and buses may receive subsidies ranging from PHP 5,000 to PHP 10,000.