Minimum tricycle fare in Tagbilaran City remained at P8, a Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) member clarified amid complaints on tricycle drivers asking for P10 from the riding public.

According to Tagbilaran City Councilor Jonas Cacho, a public hearing will still be conducted before lawmakers decide whether or not to continue the implementation of the fare hike.

The increase which was proposed by Tagbilaran councilors early this month was designed to be provisional as the entire country continued to grapple with rising fuel prices.

The proposal included the increase of minimum fare from P8 to P10 and the doubling of add-on fee per kilometer from P1 to P2.

Councilor Philip Besas, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on public utility, earlier said that the fare hike will be made through a resolution, instead of passing an ordinance, to maintain flexibility in setting the minimum fare.

“Kini provisional authority lang ni ang pag-increase, kay once na mo-ubos, pwede pud nato paubsan or mosaka pa g’yud, sakaan pa pud namo. Mao wa mo gama og ordinansa, resolution lang,” he said.

Tagbilaran SP members have earlier noted that the measure could help curb the issue on tricycle drivers demanding excessive fare and choosing their passengers.

“Mi-saka na gasolina, presyo pud sa mga pamaliton mi-saka sad,” Besas said. “Mao pod nay usa sa among nakit-an nga rason na sila mo-violate, mo-overcharge tungod tingali ana, kay ang pletehan ubos ra kaayo.” (R. Tutas)