TACLOBAN CITY- The committee on transportation and terminal administration of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here has endorsed a P9 fare hike for motorcycle-for-hire (MCH) during a public hearing conducted on Thursday (July 19).
The P9 fare agreed by the committee, which is chaired by Councilor Edward Frederick Chua, however, is lower by P1 compare to the demand of the Tacloban Federation of MCH Drivers and Operators, Inc. (TAFEMADO).
The group, headed by its president Joseph Tangeli, had earlier passed their position paper demanding that the current P8 MCH fare be increased to P10 covering within the city’s main streets.
The group cited the rising cost of gasoline, the implementation of a rerouting scheme by the city government which is taking longer routes, and the enforcement of the TRAIN (Tax Reformation and Acceleration and Inclusion) Law as reasons why they were demanding for a fare increase.
“Due to these circumstances, we appeal to the honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod (members) and the honorable Mayor Cristina Romualdez for fare increase to MCH from the current P7 for the two kilometers to P10 for the first one kilometer and additional P1 for succeeding kilometer,” the group on their May 7 petition submitted to the city council said.
They also asked for a fare for a ‘special trip’ which means routes outside the main streets of the city.
The group, cited as an example, that a ride from downtown area to Abucay bus terminal would have a fare of P48.
They used the current fare of public utility jeeps at P8 multiplied by 3(seating capacity) and multiply again by 2(round trip).
But during Thursday’s public hearing held at the Legislative Building, the Chua committee agreed with a proposal made by a commuter to just put the fare hike at P9, Councilor Jerry Uy, member of the committee, said.
Councilor Uy said that a P9 MCH fare within the city streets is ‘reasonable’ reason why the committee would endorse it to the entire city council for approval.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
