Mayor Al David Uy of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos) in Davao del Norte warned pedicab drivers on the island not to overcharge transportation fare or else they face a penalty.
This is in line with the implementation of the fare hike on the island, which drew complaints involving drivers who are overcharging even though the new tariff (fare matrix) has not yet come out.
In a radio report, the minimum fare in Samal is now P17 from the previous fare of P8.
“Naa ta’y gihimo sa ordinansa na penal clause na kung ikaw na driver naay magreklamo nimo for overcharging naa kay fine ug puwede pud tanggalon ang permit to operate nimo. Gihimo nato ni kay daghan na reklamo, wala pa ang taripa, daghan na ang reklamo sa overcharging especially katong mga turista na dili taga Samal unya dali lang mailad. Protection pud na sa ila basta makuha nila ang pangalan sa driver, body number sa pedicab,” Uy said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday.
Uy also assured that the transportation fare hike has gone through proper procedures and public hearings down to the barangay level.
“Nigawas siya pero naabtan ug recess mao nigawas siya after na gyud sa election. Niagi na ug proseso, naay public hearing na gihimo down to the barangay level. Being a component city ang Samal, tanan ordinansa namo muagi ug Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be confirmed by the SP Board. Gihimo namo ang fare matrix tungod sa sagunson na pagsaka sa krudo ug gasolina atong mga panahona,” he explained.
He added that the fare matrix will serve as a guide for the passengers so that they will not be overcharged by the drivers.
“Di man malikayan ug dili pud tanan drivers, na amay manigbasay pataka lang ug pataas ug plete, para naa silay guide kung mao ni ang presyo sa gasolina mao na ang dapat bayran nila,” he said.
