'Kurang pay dayta ₱5' — Tabuk tricycle drivers say fare hike can't keep up with rising costs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Some tricycle drivers in Tabuk City said the ₱5 provisional fare increase recently approved by the city government is still not enough to offset the rising costs of fuel, spare parts, and vehicle maintenance.

On July 29, Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2026 was signed and released through the Tabuk City Information Office which approved provisionally the increase in tricycle fares by ₱5 across all authorized routes within the city's territorial jurisdiction since the continued increase in petroleum prices has significantly raised the operating costs of tricycle drivers and operators, making the existing fare rates no longer economically sustainable.

The order was issued pursuant to City Ordinance No. 004, Series of 2022, and Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 136, Series of 2026, following the recommendation of the City Tricycle Franchising and Regulatory Board (CTFRB) after consultations with tricycle operators, drivers, commuters, and other stakeholders.

Under the order, the additional ₱5 will be added to all fares under the existing tricycle fare matrix. Drivers are also required to display copies of the executive order and the updated fare matrix inside their vehicles.

The CTFRB, City Public Safety Office, Philippine National Police, and other concerned offices have been tasked to enforce the order. Drivers who collect fares beyond the authorized rates or fail to comply with its provisions may face penalties under existing laws and city ordinances.

The provisional fare increase took effect immediately and will remain in force until a new fare matrix is approved or another executive order is issued.

Fare increase still not enough

A tricycle driver from Dagupan Weste said the provisional fare increase would provide some relief but remains insufficient because operating expenses continue to rise.

"Nu mabalbalin kuma ket madagdagan ta syempre daytoy kinangina ti pyesa, gasolina, nangruna dagiti maintenance ti lugan mi, ngimmatu amin.Kurang pay dayta five pesos."

The driver who asked for anonymity said many people assume tricycle drivers earn well because they spend the entire day transporting passengers. However, a large portion of their daily earnings is spent on fuel and vehicle maintenance.

According to the driver, many operators earn only ₱400 to ₱500 a day, while a full tank of fuel alone costs around ₱300, leaving very little to support their families.

"Ti ammo da siguro napigsa ti pasada mi, ngem nakapuy. Nagbassit laeng ti mapaspasadaan mi, kurang pay nga pang pamilya mi."

The driver added that the remaining income is often not enough to buy food, rice, or pay household expenses.

"Anya ti mapan iti pamilya mi? Awan ti pang sida, awan ti pang bagas, bayad ti kuryente ngay?… Dakkel a pagyamanan mi nu makisama dagiti estudiyante, dagiti commuters."

Nevertheless, he mentioned that it is difficult when some employees of the Tabuk City government complained about the fare increase and not consider their situation.

Meanwhile, another tricycle driver questioned how the provisional fare increase was announced, claiming that drivers were not gathered for a meeting before the executive order was posted.

"Jay inyulog ti City Hall, haan da inmeeting, in-post da lang."

The executive order, however, states that the CTFRB recommended the provisional fare increase after conducting consultations with tricycle operators, drivers, commuters, and other stakeholders.

Not all commuters welcomed the fare increase

A student interviewed by Guru Press Cordillera who doesn’t want to be named said the higher fare would further strain students whose allowances have remained unchanged despite the rising cost of living.

"Ngummina amin, awan ti allowance tapos ngummina manen ti plete. Agpanunot da kuma ti alternative nga solusyon."

Meanwhile, members of Damayan TODA expressed support for the provisional increase, saying it is justified because of the continuing rise in fuel prices.

"Okay diyayen, basta masurot ajay twenty kasi adu ngay ti agrekreklamo. Nu tutuusem nagngina ti gasolina."

The provisional fare adjustment

The provisional fare adjustment came less than two weeks after the city government reminded tricycle drivers to strictly follow the fare rates under City Ordinance No. 004, Series of 2022.

On July 9, the City Business Permits and Licensing Office (CBPLO) warned drivers against overcharging and reminded them to comply with the approved fare matrix.

However, fuel prices continued to climb in the following weeks. Earlier in Mid July, diesel prices in Tabuk City increased by as much as ₱7 per liter compared with the first week of said month due to successive nationwide oil price hikes and the added cost of transporting fuel to Kalinga.

The continued increase in fuel prices prompted transport operators to renew their call for a fare adjustment, arguing that the 2022 fare matrix was no longer enough to cover their daily operating expenses.

The city government later responded by issuing Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2026, provisionally increasing tricycle fares by ₱5 while a new fare matrix is being prepared.