Angry Tricycle Drivers Press Demand for Fare-Hike �Tariff�

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY — Representatives of 30 associations of Tricycle drivers in Davao City massed up in front of the City Hall on Tuesday to press for their demand of the tariff, a document they need to start charging an additional one-peso fare.

The group, called Integrated District Tricycle Federation of Davao City (IDTF), questioned the delay in the release of the tariff, which would allow them to collect a 6-peso fare, instead of five pesos, from passengers.

They criticized Joseph Dominic Felizarta of the City Legal Office for finding faults in the legal personality of their group, thus causing the delay. They even went up to Felizarta’s office inside the City Hall building to confront him on the matter.

IDTF chairman Samuel Lasay said there were similar petitions made by the group in the past and that these had been honored.

Lasay wondered why Felizarta has asked them, this time, to submit documents that would prove they are affiliated with their nationwide federation Piston, or the Pinag-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators.

“We are confused why are they questioning the legality of the IDTF,” Lasay said in an interview with davaotoday.com.

Lasay also questioned why Felizarta denied the demand of the IDTF when, in fact, some of their member associations — those operators who can afford to petition as an individual organization — were already given tariffs.

Felizarta, in an interview with GMA Testigo, denied that he was opposing the grant of the tricycle driver’s petition and even said he has respect for the IDTF as an organization.

Lasay said the absence of the tariff could affect the livelihood of their members, who are mostly poor Davaoenos, especially with the increase in oil prices. Tricycles are the main mode of transportation in the inner streets and villages of most Philippine cities and communities. (Cheryll D. Fiel/davaotoday.com)