To take effect after local publication

LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE. The administration of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez continues to provide livelihood assistance among Taclobanons. The city mayor on Sept.16 led in the turnover ceremony of a livelihood assistance to families residing in the northern part of the city. In his message, the city mayor urged the recipients to make good of the assistance and try to live within their means to avoid unnecessary expenses. The livelihood assistance program of the city government is in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment through its Public Employment Service Office.
(ALFRED ROMUALDEZ)

TACLOBAN CITY-The minimum fare rate for motorcycle-for-hire (MCH), the main mode of transportation in the city, has been raised by P3 from the current P9 for the first two kilometers.

This after an ordinance enacted by the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Sept.1 was approved by City Mayor Alfred Romualdez last Sept.14.

Based on Ordinance Number 2022-15-03, the new fare rate will now be at P12 per first two kilometers and P2 per succeeding kilometers.

However, a 20 percent discount should be afforded to persons with disabilities, students, and senior citizens, the ordinance mandates.

A copy of a fare matrix should also be displayed inside the MCH. Failure of doing it would mean a penalty of P1,000 for the operator and P500 for the driver.

However, the new fare rate will take effect 15 days after its publication in a local newspaper.

The increase of MCH rate in the city stemmed from a petition from the association of operators and drivers in the city last August they submitted to the city council.

The group, headed by its president Joseph Tangile, claimed that the rising costs of fuels and spare parts and decline of passengers due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were the factors cited by them for their demand of fare rate.

The last time the group demanded and given approval for a fare rate increase was last July 2018. The approved fare rate at that time was at P9 per kilometer.

MCHs are the most common mode of transportation within the city proper.

There are more than 1,500 licensed MCH units operating the city.

JOEY A. GABIETA

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