Tricycle rate increased in Bontoc after drivers’ clamor

By Francis B. Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Tricycle drivers here demanded fare hike last week saying they were losing income with rise in gasoline prices. They got what they wanted.

Some 108 stakeholders pressed their demands in a public hearing on the proposed tricycle fare increase at the Bontoc municipal quadrangle here last week.

The hearing was conducted by the town council’s committee on infrastructure, zoning, urbanization management, housing and tourism chaired by councilors Constancio Miranda with Jerome Tudlong as vice chairman and John Pelew as member.

Also present were council  members Alsannyster Patingan, Alfred Awichen, ABC president Bryan Byrd Bellang and SangguniangKabataan federated president Johnny Martinez. 

Lawyer MaximoDalog, Jr. who represented the Bontoc Federated Association of Tricycle Operators and Drivers (BOFATOD) reiterated clamor of  petitioners for tricycle fare increase from minimum of P7 to P10.

The main reason, according to Dalog, for the increase was that the operators can hardly cope with maintenance of their tricycle units  due to spiraling prices of gasoline and maintenance.

From 2008, which was the last fare increase, the cost of gasoline was about P42.00 per liter and to date the cost of gasoline was about P63.00 per liter, Dalog said.

Stakeholders unanimously agreed minimum fare of P7 shall be increased to P9 while P7 shall be discounted rate of senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities.   

It was suggested that those with franchise registered with the municipal transportation franchising and regulatory board (MTFRB) shall be given fare matrix.

According to Danay Aquino of the MTFRB, there are 397 tricycles registered with the (MTFRB) compared to last year of 418 units.

As a result of the petition for rate increase, the sangguniang bayan of Bontoc amended sec. 1 (a) and section 2 of Ordinance no. 128, S. 2008 approving the regular tricycle fare pegged at P9 from the original minimum fare of P7.

The proposed amendment was referred to the SangguniangPanlalawigan of Mountain Province but the same returned back to the proponent due to procedural error.