LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan is yet to approve an ordinance establishing a standard tricycle fare rate for all.

The Lapu-Lapu City Council is set to pass Wednesday, August 10, the petition for the tricycle rate ordinance after a public consultation led by Committee on Transportation and Communication chairperson Councilor Marciano Alforque Jr. was held last Monday, August 8.

Alforque said the minimum tricycle fare rate in 2008 was P8, and it was increased to P15 in 2020 when the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic broke out.

Despite the increase, passenger capacity has remained limited, with two passengers allowed at a time.

Now that the condition is back to normal, tricycles are operating at full capacity, with five passengers. The minimum fare rate is still fixed at P15.

This prompted Chan to request the City Council through Vice Mayor Celedonio Sitoy to make a careful study and adjust the rate.

“Ang mga tricycle drivers naghimo og proposal, gitun-an sa atong komitiba, og nagpatigbabaw ang konseho in consultation with the commuters in general,” Alforque said.

During the public hearing Monday, Sixto Tumulak, city transport coordinator, said 3,675 tricycle units are operating in Lapu-Lapu and they belong to 75 different tricycle operators and drivers associations.

Alforque said both groups agreed halfway to have a minimum fare rate of P13 and a discounted rate of P10 for senior citizens and persons with special needs.

Alforque said the minimum fare rate in Olango Island is higher, which is P15 per passenger.

The increase in fare is needed, as Alforque noted the increasing gasoline prices and the scarcity of passengers that make it impossible for tricycles to be always filled with passengers.

Alforque said he will present a committee report on the proposed rate in their Wednesday regular session. (PR)