By Rowena T. Cruz Tricycle drivers and stakeholders attend a public hearing in Lucban, Quezon on the proposed provisional fare increase ami...
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| Tricycle drivers and stakeholders attend a public hearing in Lucban, Quezon on the proposed provisional fare increase amid rising fuel prices. (Lucban PIO) |
LUCBAN, Quezon - Rising fuel prices are driving up daily transport costs and adding pressure on household budgets, prompting Lucban officials to allow a provisional increase in tricycle fares. Continued increases in fuel prices are reducing drivers’ daily earnings and placing pressure on operators to keep regular routes running despite smaller income.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Lucban has approved a provisional increase in tricycle fares following continued fuel price hikes, through the passage of Kapasiyahan Blg. 129-2026. The adjustment is meant to give temporary relief to drivers while making sure that commuters can still rely on available tricycle services.
In a statement, municipal officials said the measure aims to help tricycle drivers cope with rising fuel expenses while continuing to serve passengers across different barangays. They added that the adjustment is only temporary and may be reviewed depending on changes in fuel prices.
According to the Sangguniang Bayan, an additional ₱5.00 will be charged on the current base fare covering the first one (1) kilometer as part of the provisional adjustment. The increase is intended to give immediate but controlled fare relief without placing too much burden on ordinary passengers.
The provisional fare increase will automatically be removed once the average price of gasoline drops to ₱65.00 per liter for three consecutive weeks, or as may be decided through another resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan. This condition ensures that the adjustment stays tied to actual fuel prices and will not continue longer than needed.
The MTFRB urged all tricycle operators to follow the approved fare matrix and make sure that official copies are secured and clearly displayed inside their units before applying the increase. It also reminded drivers that no one is allowed to collect the higher fare without the required document, to avoid confusion and protect passengers.
Passengers are advised to check the correct fare and stay alert against overcharging by making sure that fare matrices are posted inside tricycle units. They are also encouraged to report any violations to the proper authorities so that complaints can be addressed quickly.
The local government also clarified that fare information circulating on social media without official confirmation is not recognized and has no legal effect. Only fare issuances with the official seal of the Sangguniang Bayan and released through the MTFRB are considered valid.
However, questions remain on how consistently the policy will be enforced across all routes and whether monitoring measures are enough to prevent unauthorized fare collection at the ground level. Without clear inspection procedures and publicly available reports, concerns remain that gaps in enforcement could weaken both commuter protection and trust in local regulations.
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