LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – The Lagawe Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. (LAFETODAI) is pushing for Php 5 increase in the minimum fare in Lagae.
In an interview with the ZigZag Weekly, an officer of the 1,200 member LAFETODAI said the proposed fare increase would be primarily to cushion the effects of the spike of gasoline prices amid the war in the Middle East.
A LAFETODAI officer is reportedly accompanying Councilor Jansen Roldan to get the approval of Mayor Leslie Roy Nayahangan.
If approved, this represents a 25 percent surge from its current fare of Php 20. Or a ride costs Php 25.
LAFETODAI maintains that the fare hike is “necessary” due to the increase in the price of crude oil and fuel products.
“I’m optimistic that Mayor Nahayangan shall act positively on this concern,” Roldan said. He is also the LAFETODAI treasurer.
The LAFETODAI resolution largely details a plea for fare increase even as the national government already mapped out a plan to provide tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region “ayuda” (aid) of Php 5,000. It shall expand shortly in the other 17 regions.
With a total of 11 organizations under the federation, the LAFETODAI has a very strong voice in the transport sector and as a major lifeline for drivers and operators in this part of Ifugao. Therefore, with its built-in strength it is a fitting symbol of hope to address the mounting poverty problem.
Essentially, it’s all about poor folks having little or no options at all to cope up with the high cost of living. Recognizing that while Lagawe has different tricycle drivers and operators organizations, these stakeholders share common dreams of progress and security.
In a related development, journalist Anthony Araos urged President Ferdinand Marcos to provide the cash-strapped tricycle drivers a cash relief assistance or “ayuda” of Php 15,000 to ease their difficulties.
“To my mind, the initial aid of Php 5,000 should not only be continued as the Middle East conflict escalates, but also be increased and strengthened. I’m for giving the Php 15,000 to make the assistance more effective and realistic,” Araos pointed out in a letter to the president.
“In the more immediate setting, the Php 5,000 only works in the very short-term basis. Maybe, for two to three days,” he added.
“For every crisis, there is an opportunity to recover, thus strongly and collectively build a better and more inclusive society even in uncertainties brought with risks,” he stressed.
After he visited several tricycle terminals in Lagawe, Araos further learned the plight of drivers who only wanted to go home after trying to meet comfortably family obligations. Their take home earnings are hardly enough.
“As we know, it’s not really a substantial amount of money they are bringing home, so, at the very least, when operating expenses including those for food and gasoline are deducted, there’s only a little left,” Araos motioned.
Time to step and help them. Araos described the government’s commitment to transport workers as “essential.” After all, they are facing toughest conditions with prices of basic communities and services at sky-high mark pushing the purchasing power of the peso at the lowest point. It’s time to deliver the adequate and prudent policies and responses to help them protect their job and income. Rocketing crude prices and steep rises in the cost of living are taking its toll on the people and is disheartening since poverty is more pronounced in rural areas as those in Ifugao. **By Anthony A. Araos
