Tanudan implements fare increase for Tabuk-Tanudan route to ease driver's burden

Tanudan, Kalinga – Due to rising fuel costs caused by the Middle East crisis, the Municipal Government of Tanudan has approved fare hike for the Tabuk City–Upper Tanudan route.

Since March, fuel prices have been increasing amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. On Monday, March 16, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin warned that the country could experience its “most expensive” fuel prices, with diesel potentially reaching P95 to P114 per liter starting March 17.

In response to the soaring fuel costs, Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag, together with the municipal legislative body led by Vice Mayor Antonio Basungit, met with drivers from the Upper Tanudan and Taloctoc Transport Group on March 13 in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

The discussion focused on a reasonable fare adjustment that would help drivers cope with rising fuel prices while ensuring commuters were not overburdened.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to add P30 to the original P200 fare for routes from Tabuk City to Banagao and Tabuk City to Taloctoc, bringing the current fare to P230. It was noted that the P230 will increase if the price of fuel goes higher than P90 per liter.

In an interview, Mayor Dagadag explained that addressing the fare increase was necessary to help drivers manage the rising fuel costs. He added that the decision also prevents unauthorized fare hikes that could unfairly burden commuters.

“Ngimmato ti presyo ti petrolyo, and we understand nga nagrigat met piman ti kasasaad dagiti drivers. Isu nga we agreed for fare increase. At the same time, adda daytoy nga desisyon tapno mapreventaran ti unauthorized fare hikes, nga mabalin nga mas makaapektar kadagiti pasaheros tayo,” Dagadag said.