CITY officials issued two contradicting statements on the P1 increase in motorela fare that surprised commuters last week.
Motorela is Cagayan de Oro’s version of the Philippine tricycle.
Many commuters were taken aback after motorela drivers suddenly charged an additional P1, bringing the motorela fare to P8 for the first five kilometers.
Drivers justified the fare increase, saying the fuel prices have reached P55.01 per liter which allows them, per city ordinance, to automatically adjust the fare.
But for City Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., chairman of the committee on public utilities, tt is illegal for motorelas to increase the fare without the mayor's approval.
Lao said motorela drivers and operators will have to submit a petition to City Mayor Oscar Moreno first and have it approved before the fare hike becomes legitimate.
"Makalitan ang publiko ana kung diritso lang ug increase (It will cause confusion to the public if we will impose the increase directly)," he said.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a for his part said motorela drivers have the right to automatically increase the fare based on prevailing fuel prices, and without the approval of the mayor.
There is no provision in the ordinance that mandates motorela to submit first a petition before implementing the fare increase, he added.
Sabuga-a, however, assured that the city shall release its advisory on the changes of the motorela fares, but will seek guidance and recommendation first from the City Price Coordinating Council.
"We advise the public that it is P8.00 for now. But in the next days, we will come up with a clear-cut advisory because it is still confusing because we still need to find out if all of the gasoline stations have indeed exceeded the P55.01 per liter price. Some might have decided not to increase it, so we still need to find out," he said.
The city is expected to come up with an official advisory this week to also inform the public of the changes.