By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Batac CITY—Using the oil price hike as well as the soaring prices of motorcycle spare parts as reasons, commuters in Batac City need to brace for additional expense as PHP3 pesos has been added from the current Php11 basic tricycle fare.
On January 7, 2019, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved an ordinance prescribing the new fare rates for tricycle-for-hire in the city.
Early on, the Batac Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BATODA) asked for PHP14 fare increase for the first 1.5 kilometers and an additional PHP1 for every succeeding kilometer.
Student fare is pegged at PHP12.50 for the first 1.5 kilometers plus PHP1 for every succeeding kilometer.
As prescribed by law, both senior citizens and persons with disabilities shall continue to enjoy a 20% discount from the regular fare provided they present their authorized identification cards.
According to Batac City Mayor Albert Chua, the trike increase will take effect immediately after approval of said ordinance.
Tricycle drivers and operators however are warned to refrain from overcharging their passengers and avoid being penalized.
Under Ordinance No. 4SP 2018-18, violators will be charged ranging from PHP200 to PHP600 and a possible three-month suspension of Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit for the third and succeeding offenses.
It may be recalled that on November 22, 2018, the committee on laws of the Sangguniang Panlungsod conducted a public consultation where tricycle drivers and operators, students and all other concerned parties attended.
Meanwhile, tricycle drivers in Laoag City are also asking for a PHP4 basic fare hike, which will hike rates in Laoag City to PHP15 from the current PHP11 basic fare.
Aside from the PHP4 fare increase, they are also asking to increase the rate after the first kilometer to PHP2 per kilometer.
The current rate is pegged at PHP1 per kilometer after the first kilometer.
The proposed trike fare increase in Laoag however is currently being studied.
The Laoag city government last increased fare rates in 2011 through city ordinance no. 2011-077, which raised basic fare rates from PHP8 to PHP11.